I have built accidents response capabilities in NATO before I became the CEO of the cyber. The new defense sector has become my work

As the face of war changes completely, Western governments must adapt to keep pace with what constitutes “defense” and give priority to the importance of creating cybersecurity. At the NATO summit earlier this summer, the coalition took a first primary step towards building this modern defensive scene. It agreed to strengthen defense spending about 5 % of GDP and the repetition of NATO members ’obligations in Article 5.

While the United States pushes the United Kingdom and Europe towards self -reliance, the necessity of defense investment is clear. Defense innovation moved from a marginal issue to my existence, and the recent review in the United Kingdom was a clear sign that its importance is recently recognized. But there is a lot to do.

The development of war

The war is increasingly central and dependent on technology, which represents the biggest change in the conflict since the emergence of the trip. This decentralization means that the front lines and fighting situations are no longer present in the same way, and the conflict is not limited to the motor physical fighting. Instead, electronic attacks and sabotage are standard elements of government conflict.

Ukrainian officials have reported that Russian electronic attacks have increased dramatically since the invasion, Nearly 70 % attacks in 2024 From the previous year. These are not random attacks either; More than half of the targeted government systems, with a significant increase in a stake aimed at military leadership and control of infrastructure.

This threat exists outside the active active as well. The critical national infrastructure is targeted throughout Western countries by various electronic groups and penetration, as well as government actors. The tactics have exceeded the low -level web site and the data stealing as well and now extend to more destroyed attacks on systems such as power networks, gas pipelines and under the sea. Given that the attack on servers or sub -stations can be destroyed such as attacking with shells and missiles, any effective defensive strategy of digital threats must now deal with the same level of material intensity.

Artificial intelligence and independence in the battlefield

Besides this cyber war, there was also rapid progress of artificial intelligence and independent systems in the battlefield. The drones and automatic platforms are increasingly controlled by artificial intelligence, allowing them to re -connect targets and set goals and attack without direct human control. Both Russia and Ukraine have invested extensively in these capabilities, as they actually took advantage of a new self -fighting era. This type of “autonomy on the edge”, where human supervision is minimal once the system is launched, and represents a qualitative shift in the war. Although it definitely raises difficult ethical questions and safety, it provides speed and surprise that traditional weapons that are controlled remotely cannot match.

Take the innovative Ukraine use of drones, for example. Its forces have repeatedly arrived in Russian territory, using inexpensive drones instead of combat aircraft or cruise missiles. In March, the largest attack was launched ever, as 343 drones were sent to the Moscow region, forcing all airports of the Russian capital. In June, the “Spiderweb” operation witnessed more than 100 drones deployed in the depth of Russian territory, which led to the output of the air, 4,500 km from the border.

The destructive power of these unmanned air vehicles (drone) is relatively inexpensive (UAVS) reshape the war tactics. Spiderweb strokes were described as a “low -cost strike process”, indicating how the nation that lacks long -range heavy missiles still causes serious strategic losses.

There is also a dark aspect of this revolution. Each of these drones is inexpensive, and indeed any Internet connected to the Internet war. This represents another opportunity to penetrate, disable or re -display, and convert assets immediately into a security vulnerability.

The strengths with independent weapons – which are cheap, developed and effective – will also make them tools for choosing rogue states or terrorist actors. Many current defenses, such as airport security checkpoints or traditional aircraft control systems, are inappropriate for this threat, forcing to rethink protection strategies for public places and critical infrastructure.

Defense industry for the future

NATO realizes that he is on the threshold of the moment of water gatherings, and that he is in a race against time to adapt to a constant threat scene. Military force is no longer only defined through tank numbers or forces, but with technology and lightness of movement and flexibility.

For example, the UK has created joint work teams between the army and the industry to harden energy infrastructure and invest in the possibilities of rapid restoration of telecommunications networks. This is the lack of clarity of what “defense” is important because the surface of the potential attack becomes universal and digital. We must now consider flexibility throughout the economy part of our wider defense strategy.

The era of decentralized and hybrid war requires a more flexible and innovative Western response. Increasing military and defensive budgets to include the protection of the Internet and infrastructure is a good start. Double technological innovation and the promotion of government cooperation between close judgment will be an excellent next step.

The opinions expressed in cutting comments Fortune.com are only the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions and beliefs luck.

Fortune Global Forum Returns 26 to 27 October, 2025 in Rydah. Executive chiefs and world leaders will meet for a dynamic event for the call only forms the future of business. Apply for an invitation.