Wars used to announce themselves with troop movements, air-raid sirens, and closed skies. Today, the opening move is often invisible. By the time physical conflict begins, the digital battlefield has already been shaped. Modern warfare often begins when adversaries quietly penetrate digital systems such as traffic cameras, mobile phones, logistics networks, and data platforms. 

As President Donald Trump’s military action in Iran escalates, we are already seeing reports about new moves to protect data centers in the United States, which could be large targets. Digital targets for cyberattacks also include electric grids and water supply systems throughout the country, which are largely run online and vulnerable to hackers.