Hybrid threats

• There are several types of hybrid tactics used both, by state and non-state actors. The power and diversity of hybrid warfare will continue to increase, challenging security and governance systems.
• Some of the most used and evident types of hybrid warfare are:
  • impacting governance by gaining economic influence and control over critical infrastructure--facilitated by globalization 
    e.g. China controlling 10% of all European port capacity;  
  • inflicting fear and mistrust, mannipulation of information and challenging the credibility of media and the democratic system --faciliatetd by concentration and expanding scope and spectrum of government or groups-of-interest-owned news media-- as well as massive cyberattacks on critical infrastructure (like the WannaCry and NotPetya attacks), manipulation or interference in elections, etc.
  • national aggression--massive cyberattack, swarm of unmanned warfare, infiltration to major reserach centers and companies (e.g. Chinese spies infiltrating critical industries).
• Monopolisation of communication infrastructure (e.g. Chinese-dominated 5G infrastructure) increases the vulnerability of the communication systems, raising concerns about access to private, public, commercial, and military communications.
• In 2017, three billion people logged on to social media networks like Facebook, WhatsApp and China’s Sina Weibo, making it one of the most powerful tools for shaping peoples' thinking.  | Related Megatrends: Technology; Geopower
• Smartphones are increasingly seen as weapons of mass manipulation. | Related Megatrends:Geopower
• There will be 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs unfilled around the world in 2021, due to the lack of skilled people in the field. India alone, will need up to 1 million cybersecurity professionals by 2020.

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