Why do governments consider cyberwar a threat to critical infrastructure?

Governments consider cyberwar a significant threat to critical infrastructure because modern society is fundamentally dependent on cyberspace for its everyday functioning. This reliance extends to essential services, including financial institutions, transportation networks, and national security tools.1

The primary concerns regarding cyberwar and critical infrastructure include:

• Systemic Vulnerability: Modern infrastructure—such as electrical grids, water supplies, and air traffic control systems—relies on interconnected digital networks. A successful cyberattack on these systems could disrupt or destroy services, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences for the population.123
• Potential for Armed Conflict: While some hostile cyber activities are categorized as espionage or crime, a state-sponsored cyberattack that causes physical damage to critical infrastructure could be legitimately viewed as an armed attack.2
• Escalating Risk: As infrastructure becomes more integrated and "smart," the number of potential entry points for attackers increases, making these systems more attractive targets.4
• Difficulty of Defense: Cyberdefense is inherently challenging because defenders must be successful consistently, whereas an attacker needs to succeed only once to compromise a system.56

Protecting these assets is a moral imperative, as the failure of such infrastructure directly threatens public safety and societal stability.34