In the aftermath of the brief yet intense conflict between Iran and Israel, the United States stands at a delicate juncture. Following the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, there appears to be a fragile cease-fire. However, U.S. leaders must remain vigilant against potential retaliatory strikes from Iran, particularly through unconventional methods.
For years, Iran has increasingly relied on cybercrime and ransomware to target crucial infrastructure sectors, including water, healthcare, energy, defense, finance, and transportation. Their operations have extended to influence elections as well. Although these cyber campaigns may not have reached destabilizing levels, reports indicate that Iran and its proxies are engaged in activities like distributed denial-of-service attacks, data leaks, and the deployment of destructive malware.
While experts debate the likelihood of Iran executing a catastrophic cyberattack against the United States, it is evident that Tehran will continue leveraging its cyber capabilities as a form of asymmetric warfare. This strategy is characterized by low costs and plausible deniability.
In considering whether the United States is adequately prepared for such cyber threats, certain troubling trends emerge. For instance, Washington’s shift from national coordination to state-level responsibility could diminish preparedness. Moreover, a reduction in federal resources and support for international partnerships—crucial for combating transnational cybercrime—could further leave the U.S. vulnerable. Neglecting these aspects jeopardizes the economic incentives necessary for effective cybersecurity.
Despite substantial debates surrounding the notions of cyber warfare and deterrence, there are valuable insights to be gleaned from traditional warfare, particularly the famous Battle of Thermopylae. This ancient conflict, fought in 480 BC, offers profound lessons that are surprisingly applicable to today’s cyber warfare landscape.
The battle serves as a stark illustration of the power of coordination in the face of overwhelming odds. The Persian Empire, with its superior numbers and better organization, initially overwhelmed the fragmented defenses of the Greeks, comprised largely of independent city-states. Although individual Greek fighters—in particular, the Spartans—were skilled warriors, their limited numbers often placed them at a disadvantage.
It was only after regrouping and unifying under the Delian League that the Greeks managed to successfully expel the Persian forces. This historical precedent highlights the importance of solid coordination and unified command, a principle that remains vital for modern defense against cyber threats.
In contemporary defense against cyberattacks, the United States mirrors the Greek coalition’s fragmentation. Coordination is crucial across various government levels and industrial stakeholders, each bringing its own priorities and resources. While enhancing the capabilities of state and local authorities is a positive move, shifting away from federal coordination and support could weaken the overall defense strategy.
Additionally, the use of terrain played a pivotal role in the outcome of Thermopylae. The Greek defenders established a stronghold at a narrow mountain pass, known as the Hot Gates, thwarting the larger Persian army until a local traitor revealed a path around their defenses. In the realm of cyber warfare, Iranian actors often exploit digital vulnerabilities, targeting operational technologies and internet-exposed industrial control systems. They adeptly employ tools to identify system weaknesses and bypass security protocols.
To counter such tactics, it is essential for the United States to control its own “digital terrain.” By implementing robust cybersecurity measures and enforcing strict access controls, the U.S. can strengthen its defenses against potential exploitations.
Moreover, a significant advantage for the United States lies in its control over much of the internet infrastructure. This creates strategic chokepoints wherein effective regulation and partnerships could greatly enhance defense capabilities. By working alongside major technology firms, the U.S. could disrupt Iranian malicious activities aimed at their infrastructure.
The tactical agility demonstrated by the Greek forces is another key lesson from Thermopylae. The Greeks employed their martial skills and tactical formations—specifically, the phalanx—allowing them moments of significant resistance against the Persian onslaught. Despite their eventual defeat, the lessons learned enabled them to regroup and ultimately win at Plataea.
In contrast, the current U.S. response to cyber threats lacks the comprehensive training and rigor seen in Greek military practices. Though bodies like the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command feature elite cyber capabilities, these forces alone are insufficient to protect the vast civilian-controlled digital environment. Moreover, there is a pressing need for the U.S. to develop a more skilled cyber workforce, a task that cannot be neglected.
While prior cybersecurity strategies, such as the “shields up” approach, focused on individual responses to potential breaches, this reactive posture falls short of addressing the broader landscape of cyber warfare. Instead, the U.S. should move toward a coordinated, phalanx-like defense strategy that integrates not only protection but also proactive disruption of threats against critical infrastructure.
To forge a path forward in defending against Iran’s cyber threats, the United States must cultivate a comprehensive approach to unify its cybersecurity posture. This approach should encompass the following:
1. Leverage digital terrain and harden chokepoints by improving security measures like multifactor authentication and network segmentation to mitigate vulnerabilities often targeted by Iranian actors.
2. Elevate national coordination and build durable coalitions by enhancing collaboration among federal agencies while reinforcing international partnerships focused on responsible behavior in cyberspace.
3. Accelerate workforce development in cybersecurity to ensure a bastion of skilled experts who can secure critical sectors and municipalities against rising threats.
4. Prioritize resilience to ensure continuity of operations even in the event of successful cyberattacks, conserving resources to focus on sectors of highest impact.
These steps resonate with the lessons of the past, and by adopting a “digital phalanx” approach, the United States can bolster its defenses against cyber threats posed by adversaries like Iran. In light of the historical significance of the Battle of Thermopylae, it is evident that lessons of coordination, terrain leverage, tactical agility, and resilience are just as essential today in cyber warfare as they were for the ancient Greeks.
image source from：atlanticcouncil
