The Future of Cyber Warfare in the Indo-Pacific

The rapid growth in military cyber capabilities of the countries in the Indo-Pacific combined with the use of assets from the cyberwarfare toolbox - in domestic and interstate contexts - is adding uncertainty to already competitive political, military, and economic relations. This brief assesses the cyberwarfare context in the Indo-Pacific and reviews the military cyber capabilities of the region’s countries and their commitment to international rules and norms. It also looks at three regional developments that will determine the future impact of cyberwarfare in the Indo-Pacific: the speed of digital transformation of the economy; governments’ reflexive and restrictive regulatory approaches to cybersecurity concerns; and the build-up of cyber defence forces.