Cyber War

Evaluating Vessel Cyberattacks: Are the Risks Exaggerated or a Genuine Threat?

Abstract:

In the last 10 years, publicly reported cyberattacks in the maritime sector have increased by more than 1000%, going from 4 in 2015 to 92 attacks in 2023, 80 in 2024, and 51 in 2025. Having said that, vessels themselves are less than 21% of those attacks. In addition, many of those cyber incidents relate to attacks on navigation and not actual compromises of the vessel systems themselves. Some researchers and industry insiders argue the threat to vessels is overblown, but is it? Using public incident data related to vessel and non-vessel cyberattacks, information on the capability and motivations of state and non-state cyber threat actors, the authors argue that cyberattacks on vessels remain a legitimate area of concern, and expectations that there should be large numbers of documented incidents to validate that position are unrealistic. The authors do, however, acknowledge the necessity to continually contest such assumptions given the limited data available.

Published In

Volume 25, Issue 3

An Analysis of the Social-Media Technology, Tactics, and Narratives Used to Control Perception in the Propaganda War over Ukraine

Abstract:

Framed by the historic 2013-2015 conflict in Ukraine—widely described by Western media as a ‘Cold-War’-style clash between the Russian Federation and the United States/NATO alliance—this qualitative case study examines how social media was used as a platform for propaganda warfare waged by clandestine bloggers and special operations commandos (known as trolls) deployed worldwide by state and non-state actors, and digitally linked and informed by data-mining, to manipulate public perceptions of the events by controlling an element of rhetoric known as narratives.

Published In

Volume 16, Issue 1

Written By

Kenneth J. Boyte

A Century of Convergence: Technology, Ideology, and U.S. National Security

Abstract:

‘Convergence’ is a term typically used to denote the conflation of several technologies. In a larger sense, convergence can signify the blending of technology, law, policy, doctrine, and capability in ways that boost knowledge and power for those who compel or defend states. The world has become globalized in the sense that virtually anyone, anywhere, can be targeted. These awesome powers of surveillance and force are still growing, but their oversight lags far behind. Ironically, efforts to limit surveillance have helped to spur the overall growth of surveillance capabilities, in part to answer the growing demand for intelligence for precision targeting. Understanding the origins and current breadth of that gap is key to resolving it.

Published In

Volume 15, Issue 2

Written By

Michael Warner

Journal of Information Warfare

The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

Keywords

(

2

3

4

8

9

A
AI
APT

a

B

C
C2
C2S
CDX
CIA
CIP
CPS

D
DNS
DoD
DoS

E

e

F

G

H

I
IA
ICS
ICT

i

J

K

L

M

N
NEC
NSA
NSS

O

P
PDA

Q

R

S
SOA

T

t

U

V

W

X
XRY

Y

Z

Quill Logo

The definitive publication for the best and latest research and analysis on information warfare, information operations, and cyber crime. Available in traditional hard copy or online.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get in touch

Registered Agent and Mailing Address

  • Journal of Information Warfare
  •  ArmisteadTEC
  • Dr Leigh Armistead, President
  • 1624 Wakefield Drive
  • Virginia Beach, VA 23455

 757.510.4574

 JIW@ArmisteadTec.com