IoT Devices as Weapons of Modern Warfare: Intelligence Gathering and Cyber Attack Vectors

How everyday connected devices become unwitting soldiers in state-sponsored cyber operations—and what you can do to protect yourself

Bottom Line Up Front: Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become critical intelligence gathering tools and attack vectors in modern warfare, with nation-states like Iran using hijacked security cameras to improve missile targeting and China operating massive botnets of compromised consumer devices for espionage and DDoS attacks. Understanding the complete attack lifecycle and implementing proper security measures can protect individuals from becoming unwitting participants in state-sponsored cyber operations.

The New Battlefield: IoT Devices in Modern Warfare

The proliferation of connected devices has fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern warfare. Iran is hijacking home security cameras to obtain knowledge of Israel's movements and People's Republic of China (PRC)-linked cyber actors have compromised thousands of Internet-connected devices,