Microsoft states that thecurrent conflict in Ukraine was preceded by a wide-ranging cyberattack. This attack marks the beginning of a new form of warfare: we are talking about the first hybrid war. Let’s find out all the details together.
The conflict in Ukraine marks the first hybrid war, according to Microsoft
During the Microsoft Envision in London, Brad Smith revealed that the company was aware of the launching potential attacks on Ukraine shortly before the physical invasion. The company was then able to raise its resources for suppress initial attacks ed help Ukrainian defenders to organize a response to what Smith called “the first great hybrid war”.
Recalling the early “eras” of the war, Smith noted that the war has now entered “a fourth floor”: that cybernetic. The company has three main responsibilities: supporting a government, defending a nation and protecting people.
Smith pointed out that, up to a week before the war began, the Ukrainian government was functioning entirely on-premise. However, as fears of an invasion grew, Microsoft took action. “Within a few days”, then, 16 of the 17 government ministries and a number of key Ukrainian companies have been relocated to cloud.
It is important to note that the cloud was located outside of Ukraine to ensure greater security, a move favored by the fact that Microsoft has spent $ 12 billion to build data centers across Europe.
Even before a physical invasion, Smith noted that the conflict “appears to have started online”. He in particular he mentions the moment when Russia launched the malware Foxblade against 300 Ukrainian goals. To conclude, looking to the future, Smith stated that the company is now focusing his attention on several frontsincluding thedisruption of Russian disinformation and the protection of people in the field.