Due to the fact that it is not a publicly disclosed metric, determining which country has the largest “cyber army” is difficult. It is also difficult to determine the size of each of the state-sponsored hacking groups in many countries. Cyber military capabilities are often discussed in relation to the United States, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
Iran, North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia – countries with the largest influences on internet security
There is no objective way to determine which country has the most influence in internet security, as different countries have varying levels of involvement and impact. There are, however, a number of factors to consider, including:
-
The US: Due to its significant investment in cybersecurity research and development, as well as its advanced capabilities in cyber defense and offense, the United States is often considered a leader in internet security.
-
Russia: As one of the most sophisticated actors in cyberspace, Russia has a history of state-sponsored hacking. A number of high-profile cyber attacks have been perpetrated by them.
-
China: Due to its large pool of talented hackers, investment in cybersecurity technology and infrastructure, and size and complexity of its domestic internet, China is often considered a major player in the cyber domain.
-
Iran: In recent years, Iran has been linked to several high-profile cyber attacks thanks to its active development of cyber capabilities.
-
North Korea: It is believed that North Korea has a dedicated and highly capable hacking group, known as the Lazarus Group, that uses cyber attacks to support its foreign policy objectives.
The cyber domain is constantly evolving and the involvement and impact of different countries can change rapidly, making it difficult to determine which country has the greatest impact on internet security.
Cyber security’s biggest ally for the United States
When it comes to cybersecurity, the United States has several allies, and the extent of cooperation varies. However, the US is closely allied with the following countries in cyberspace:
-
The United Kingdom: The US and UK have a close relationship in the cyber domain and often share intelligence and collaborate on cybersecurity initiatives.
-
Canada: US and Canadian cybersecurity cooperation is strong and they regularly work together to improve their cyber defenses.
-
Australia: The US and Australia have a close relationship in cybersecurity, and their intelligence agencies regularly share information and work together on initiatives to improve their cyber defenses.
-
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): The US is a member of NATO, which has prioritized cybersecurity in recent years. In order to improve their collective cyber defenses, NATO countries regularly collaborate on cyber defense initiatives and share information.
-
The Five Eyes: In addition to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, the US is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. The Five Eyes countries regularly cooperate on cybersecurity and intelligence matters.
Other countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Israel also have close relationships with the US in the cyber domain, including many of its European allies. As part of the US’s efforts to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities and defend against cyber threats, it has also been working to improve its relationships with other countries, including those in the Indo-Pacific region.
