Experts Warn of Escalating Digital Conflict

Amid heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, cybersecurity concerns are rapidly surfacing. Recent Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on Indian digital infrastructure have been linked to threat actors operating from Pakistan, reflecting a global trend of politically motivated hacktivism.

“Today, cyber disruption can be triggered in mere hours when geopolitical relations falter. Hacktivists—whether individuals, state-supported groups, or state actors in disguise—often exploit national conflict to launch DDoS attacks, aiming to overwhelm digital systems and disrupt operations.”

Though typically non-destructive, DDoS attacks create widespread digital irritations, especially for governments, businesses, and NGOs unprepared for such assaults. Recent examples include cyberattacks linked to diplomatic crises involving Canada, Denmark, and Sweden.

ESET’s cybersecurity tools help organizations stay resilient during such threats, which may also escalate to cyberespionage or sabotage in times of geopolitical strain.

Andy Garth, a former British Ambassador and cybersecurity policy expert, represents ESET at the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO), guiding international cyber diplomacy efforts and supporting global readiness against evolving digital threats.