Cyberwarfare is emerging as the next evolution in modern warfare between nation states, according to analyst firm ABI Research.
The active disruption of information and operational technologies and the engagement in protracted political and economic cyberespionage campaigns by governments is indisputable, it noted.
?The discriminate attacks are tailored to specific targets: government agencies, critical infrastructure operators and enterprises of all sizes. All targets face constant and sustained attacks on a daily basis,? ABI said in a report.
This state of affairs, it said, is driving defense sector operators to develop and implement sophisticated cyberweapons.
?Cyber offensive operations, leveraging complex malware campaigns, are the driving force behind advanced persistent threats,? said Michela Menting, digital security research director at ABI Research.
?The commoditization of a legitimate exploits market underpins the next-generation of cyberwarfare technologies.?
Military forces, government agencies and private defense contractors, the primary operators in the defense industry, are expected to spend over $10 billion globally on cybersecurity in 2015.
While the majority of such spending will focus on bolstering defensive cybersecurity capabilities, a designated portion will be allocated to cyber offensive investments: custom designed malware, military cyber command units, covert surveillance programs and the acquisition of zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits, among other measures.
