Cyber Warfare

Intermediate 🎖️ Military / Defense

Definition

Attacking an enemy's computer networks and digital infrastructure instead of their physical stuff. It's warfare for the internet age, featuring nation-states committing what would otherwise be serious felonies.

Example Usage

NATO recognized cyber warfare as a legitimate threat worthy of Article 5 mutual defense provisions.

Origin

Emerged as concept in 1990s-2000s as militaries realized computer networks were critical infrastructure

Fun Fact

Defining cyber warfare is still controversial—is it war if no one dies? Apparently courts are still figuring it out.

Source: NATO Cyber Defence Centre

Translate This Term

See “Cyber Warfare” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator