Cyber Warfare Is Reshaping Global Conflict — Here's Why That Matters to Businesses

Cyber operations are increasingly intertwined with traditional military conflict, according to CrowdStrike co-founder Dmitri Alperovitch. In a recent discussion, he explained how nation-states now use cyber attacks alongside physical military action, sometimes as early warning signs that larger conflicts are brewing.

This shift means cyberspace is no longer just a backdrop for espionage or crime — it's becoming an active front in geopolitical conflicts. As tensions rise between nations, businesses of all sizes can find themselves caught in the crossfire, whether through direct targeting, supply chain disruptions, or collateral damage from broader cyber campaigns linked to state actors.

For Australian small businesses, this global trend is a reminder that cybersecurity isn't only about protecting against opportunistic hackers or ransomware gangs. Geopolitical events happening far away can still create ripple effects locally, from increased scanning activity to targeted attacks on critical infrastructure and the businesses that support it.