From Sparta To Cyber Space

Asymmetric warfare isn't new. It has a long history, from when 300 Spartans held Xerxes' Persian army of more than 100,000 in 480 BC, right through to modern day. You might even argue that Odysseus and the Trojan horse in 12th century BC qualifies as the earliest. All very interesting - but what is the relevance to modern business?

Cyber attacks - the similarities are striking. Often small groups of highly-focused and motivated attackers with little in the way of hierarchy or command and control take full advantage of the anonymity, flexibility, agility and rapid response offered by the use of modern technology. Cyber attacks also share the latest trait of asymmetric warfare; they are global, both in origin and effect.