The Digital Competition

Prof. Dr. Salvatore Moccia
ISSIP contributing Editor-in-Chief

Hello, ISSIPers!
Good Morning!

Just back from the CyberTech Conference, Tel Aviv. What’s new there?

Not new discoveries, but a lot of highlights.

First, it is more and more clear that in recent years, strategic competition has intensified across multiple domains. Digital technologies, now embedded in nearly every aspect of society, serve as a critical nexus of this contest. Their integration into economic systems, geopolitical strategies, military advancements, and societal structures makes them central to shaping global power dynamics.

Secondly. A confirmation. In a world that is becoming more dependent on digital technologies, cybersecurity is becoming a paramount importance. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), cybercrime has grown to become the world’s third-largest economy after the US and China. Based on data from Cybersecurity Ventures, it is projected to cost the world $8 trillion in 2023 and $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Thirdly. The future. In this scenario, a new actor has come: Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has become a cornerstone in advancing cybersecurity, forming both offensive and defensive sides.

From the offense side, the main points are here:

• AI will increase the impact of cyber-attacks.
• 2025 threat comes from evolution and enhancement of existing tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).
• All types of cyber threat actors – state and non-state, skilled and less skilled are already using AI, to varying degrees.
• AI provides capability uplift in reconnaissance and social engineering, almost certainly making both more effective, efficient, and harder to detect.
• AI lowers the barrier for novice cyber criminals, hackers-for-hire and hacktivists to carry out effective access and information gathering operations. This enhanced access will likely contribute to the global ransomware threat over the next two years.
• Moving towards 2025 and beyond, commoditization of AI-enabled capability in criminal and commercial markets will almost certainly make improved capability available to cyber-crime and state actors.

However, while it is essential to focus on the risks posed by AI, we must also seize the substantial opportunities it presents to cyber defenders. For example, AI can improve the detection and triage of cyber-attacks and identify malicious emails and phishing campaigns, ultimately making them easier to counteract.

Finally. Mastering these technologies is not just transformative – it is essential for securing influence in the evolving world order. Especially now that the evolution has been accelerated.

I think that is enough. Please, as usual, send your comments, examples and thoughts to info@issip.org.

Next time more!

Cheers,

Prof. Dr. Salvatore Moccia
ISSIP contributing Editor-in-Chief