Cyber Attacks to Spark Political Shifts and Global Disruption in 2017: Expert Forecasts
As the holiday season winds down and the world turns its attention to a fresh year, cybersecurity experts are sounding alarms about a troubling trend: cyber attacks are poised to drive political shifts and widespread disruption in 2017. While many people focus on New Year’s resolutions, the security community is bracing for an escalating wave of nation-state cyber espionage aimed at destabilising governments and influencing elections.
Specialists from Mimecast have warned that state-sponsored operatives will increasingly rely on cyber espionage to achieve political objectives and economic advantages. This includes email hacking, disclosure of intercepted communications, and interference with critical national infrastructure.
How Nation-State Cyber Attacks Will Reshape Politics
According to Peter Bauer, CEO and co-founder of Mimecast, the coming year will see a sharp rise in attacks designed to cause political disruption. “This will involve, but will not be limited to, email hacking and disclosure of other forms of intercepted private communications, disruption of and interference with critical national infrastructures,” he stated.
Building on this, 2016 already demonstrated the power of cyber attacks in the political arena. Alleged Russian-backed intrusions made headlines during the US presidential election, revealing how easily digital tools can sway public opinion and create chaos. Matthew Gardiner, Mimecast’s cybersecurity strategist, argues that nation-state attacks are now a fixture of modern geopolitics.
“The digital world is really the perfect venue for this as one can do it secretly and if you get caught you just deny it and no arrests are ever made, and to boot, it is much cheaper to conduct cyber espionage than using other traditional methods,” Gardiner explained. “Now that the methods have matured it has proven to work in the military domain, so it only makes logical sense to extend that to trying to impact the politics of your adversaries.”
Election Interference and Critical Infrastructure Under Threat
As a result, election systems remain a prime target. Avi Chesla, CEO and founder of empow, emphasised that governments must act swiftly. “In the past, companies that oversee voting systems and venues were traditionally more focused on aspects of physical security, such as ensuring the integrity of the voter registration process and the confidentiality of the vote. From now on, they will need to invest much more in cybersecurity.”
He added that legislation must classify voting infrastructure as critical, similar to power grids or water systems. International collaboration and proactive defense measures will also be essential to counter these threats.
Meanwhile, other predictions for 2017 point to ransomware becoming even more prevalent, along with poor routine IT practices leaving organisations vulnerable. However, the most alarming forecast remains the weaponisation of cyber attacks for political gain.
What This Means for Businesses and Governments
For organisations, the implications are clear: cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. Companies must adopt advanced threat detection, employee training, and incident response plans. Governments, in turn, need to enforce stricter regulations and share threat intelligence across borders.
Furthermore, the rise of nation-state cyber espionage demands a shift in mindset. As Gardiner noted, traditional spying has been a staple of international relations for centuries—cyber is simply the new frontier.
In conclusion, 2017 will likely be a year of heightened tension in cyberspace, with cyber attacks causing political shifts that could reshape global alliances. The question is not whether these attacks will occur, but how prepared we are to respond.
