Blurred lines: The expanding role of the private sector in wartime cyber operations — the case of the Russia–Ukraine war
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a significant increase in the scale and sophistication of global cyberattacks, highlighting the urgent need for clearly defined norms of responsible behaviour among nation-states in cyberspace. Traditionally, governments have dominated discussions on international cyber norms; however, the prominence of private sector involvement during wartime necessitates re-evaluation of conventional state-centric frameworks. Using the Russia–Ukraine conflict as a pivotal case study, this paper examines the increasingly integral role that private companies play in the strategic and operational dimensions of contemporary warfare. Through an analysis of documented instances from the Russia–Ukraine war, the paper examines how private sector entities have transcended traditional support roles by actively engaging in critical cyber security activities. These include protecting critical infrastructures, conducting independent attribution of cyber incidents and influencing public perceptions through strategic disclosures. The paper further identifies and analyses ambiguities and tensions arising from the sometimes blurred boundaries between public and private sector responsibilities, highlighting gaps in existing international norms and policy frameworks. As the private sector takes on a growing role in cyber operations during conflict and war, this paper examines potential future conflicts — particularly the escalating tensions between China and Taiwan — providing insights that will benefit policy makers, cyber security practitioners and academics alike. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Noya Peer is a cyber security consultant and researcher with expertise in cyber crisis management, international cyber politics and the intersection of security, technology and governance. She currently leads projects in the healthcare sector, where she develops cyber readiness strategies, authors crisis procedures and coordinates across stakeholders to strengthen organisational resilience and ensure business continuity. Her role involves conducting risk assessments, identifying operational gaps and designing practical mitigation strategies to prepare organisations for high-pressure scenarios. Noya’s research background includes serving as a Research Assistant at the Yuval Ne’eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security at Tel Aviv University, where she analysed the cyber aspects of international relations, conducted open-source intelligence research and produced policy-oriented briefs. Noya holds an MA in cyber politics and government studies and a BA in political science and sociology from Tel Aviv University. She has published widely on cyber attribution, warfare norms and the role of the private sector in modern conflict.
Gil Baram Dr Gil Baram is a cyber strategy and policy expert with over 15 years of experience shaping strategic frameworks, advising senior executives and government officials, and driving innovation at the intersection of cybersecurity, emerging technologies and global security. Her most recent project dives into the connections between artificial intelligence (AI) and cybercrime, examining how AI is affecting cyber threats and techniques. Her broader research agenda includes public attribution of cyber intrusions and international norms and practices, public disclosure of cyberattacks, the role of intelligence agencies in cyber operations, cyber threats to space systems and more. Gil holds fellow positions at the Centre of Excellence for National Security at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University. She was a Fulbright cyber security post-doctoral fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. She also served as the Head of cyber and space research team at the the Yuval Ne’eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security, a leading Israeli Think Tank. In this role, she led and guided a wide range of specialised cyber, space, AI and national security projects within various government agencies, including the National Cyber Directorate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.
