What Is Cyberwarfare?

Why Modern Wars Begin with Keyboards, Not Guns

In the past, wars began with gunfire.
Today, they begin with... the click of a keyboard.

Welcome to the era of Cyberwarfare — where threats don't arrive on battlefields, but through the borderless realm of the internet.
Even without bloodshed or smoke, the consequences can be just as—if not more—devastating.

What Is Cyberwarfare?

Cyberwarfare refers to the deliberate use of digital attacks to disrupt, damage, or control systems with political, military, or economic intent.
The actors behind these attacks may include nation-states, state-sponsored hackers, cybercriminal groups, or covert digital operatives.

Cyberwarfare targets far more than just “systems.” It can undermine:

• Public trust
• National security
• Government stability
• Critical infrastructure (energy, transport, communication, etc.)

New Weapons of the Digital Battlefield

Modern warfare is no longer fought with bullets—but with data, deception, and disruption.
Here are four key weapons in the cyber arsenal:

DDoS Attack > Overwhelming systems with massive traffic until they crash > Government, banking, and media websites become inaccessible

Hack & Leak > Stealing and leaking confidential information > Damages the credibility of governments, corporations, or individuals

Disinformation > Spreading false narratives or fake news widely > Sparks confusion, panic, or division among the public

Deepfake > AI-generated fake videos or audio imitating real people > Misleads citizens or discredits leaders

From Fake News to Real Conflict: The Thailand–Cambodia Case (2025)

In mid-2025, the border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia offered a vivid real-world example of cyberwarfare in action:

• Hacker groups linked to Cambodia launched DDoS attacks on over 70 Thai government websites
• Deepfake videos impersonating Thai leadership spread on social media, misleading the public
• Fake news about a fighter jet being shot down circulated widely, gaining over 100,000 shares in hours
• Leaked classified information about Thai officials appeared on Telegram and the dark web

None of these incidents were accidents. They were part of a calculated cyber strategy.

Cyberwarfare = National Security

We are entering an era where servers, computers, and social media platforms have become the new battlegrounds.
Our enemies no longer carry rifles—they carry keyboards.

Strengthening cybersecurity is no longer just the job of IT departments—
It’s a shared mission between government, businesses, institutions, and the public.

Don't Let Cyberwar Win With Lies

In a cyberwar, no blood may be spilled...
But the truth can still die.

If we’re not vigilant, we may lose our nation—without firing a single bullet.

Recommendations for Organizations

• Regularly review and update your Incident Response Plan
• Educate employees about Deepfake threats and disinformation tactics
• Invest in cybersecurity continuously — not just in systems, but in people
• Foster cooperation across public-private sectors and national security agencies