Has Cyber Security Changed the Face of Geopolitics?

Has Cyber Security Changed the Face of Geopolitics?

The Cyber realm has had an effect of shifting power toward smaller actors as it is cheap and accessible as all one needs is a computer and an internet connection to be able to access this realm. Although at first glance this may be seen as a positive for non-state actors, it is not that simple. However, there are still many upsides that come from this for non-state actors. The reach that groups such as ISIS have been able to gain through social media has been immense and unprecedented. The conversion and radicalization of lone wolf attackers in the heart of what they would see as enemy territory is something that would not be able to happen only a decade or two ago. As well as the hard power that can be exhorted by these types of groups there is soft power that can be used. The example of execution videos is a form of soft terrorism. The ability to create fear on the other side of the world from a localized event in Syria or Iraq would not be able to be facilitated without cyber technology.