A House, Divided

In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a new front has emerged - one that is equally dangerous but much less visible. It is the war in cyberspace, where Russia's President Vladimir Putin has been waging an aggressive campaign against the United States and its allies. This cyber war is not only a threat to our national security, but also to our critical infrastructure, emergency services, and warfighters on the front line.

The most alarming aspect of this cyber war is the way in which Putin and his agents have been able to degrade basic foundational security controls that were put in place to protect our country. They have exploited vulnerabilities in our software, hardware, and networks, and have gained access to sensitive information that should have been well-guarded. They have used this information to launch targeted attacks on our infrastructure and military, putting the lives of our soldiers and civilians at risk.

One of the most concerning targets of these attacks is our critical infrastructure. Our power grids, water systems, and transportation networks are all vulnerable to cyber attacks, and the consequences of a successful attack could be catastrophic. Putin's agents have already demonstrated their ability to infiltrate these systems and disrupt their operations, causing widespread chaos and economic damage.

And then there are the warfighters on the front line. In recent years, Russia has been using cyber attacks to target military operations, both in Ukraine and elsewhere. This has included attacks on drones, which can compromise the safety of troops on the ground. These attacks have also been used to disrupt military communications, making it harder for troops to coordinate and respond to threats.

All of this underscores the importance of basic foundational security controls.

When it comes to cybersecurity, there are no shortcuts. Simple measures, such as multi-factor authentication and regular software updates, can make a huge difference in protecting our nation. Yet all #cybersecurity too often, these measures are overlooked, leading to vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyber criminals and state-sponsored hackers alike.

The threat posed by Putin's cyber war is not just hypothetical - it is real and growing. We must take this threat seriously and take steps to protect our critical infrastructure, emergency services, and warfighters. This means investing in robust cybersecurity measures, regularly updating our software and hardware, and staying vigilant against the latest threats.

We must also work closely with our allies to share information and coordinate our responses to cyber attacks. Putin's agents are not just targeting the United States - they are attacking our allies as well. Only by working together can we hope to defeat this threat and protect our national security.