As tensions between the United States and other nations rise, the fear of conflict emerging is unavoidable. However, these conflicts are more likely to be held in the online domain than any physical battlefield. The growing role of the internet in day-to-day life means that cyberspace is the place for nations to do their worst; attacking vital institutions and disseminating propaganda. Ron Marks, president of ZPN National Security and Cyber Strategies, says that influence is one of the biggest tactics in the ‘grey zone’ of cyber war.
“I would dare say to you, and I say this without too much sarcasm, President Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow have about the same power in cyberspace. They’re able to get out to hundreds of millions of people, they have a message that interests these people,” Marks said. “I don’t know how the U.S. government goes back to the old system of the U.S. Information Agency and other things that pass out our message. It has to be a single message. Frankly, what you are getting out of the president at this point is representing the U.S. government message to the world. I don’t know we battle the rest of those messages.”
