A Modern Threat of War: Indonesia Needs to Establish a Cyber Army Branch

By VELSICURO

23 September 2025

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A Modern Threat of War: Indonesia Needs to Establish a Cyber Army Branch

The Unseen Modern War: Why Indonesia Needs to Establish a Cyber Force

The world is now facing an ever-changing threat landscape. While war was once synonymous with physical military attacks, today's battles are also fought in the digital realm. Various global cyber incidents show that critical infrastructure—from energy and utility systems to manufacturing—is increasingly becoming a target. Therefore, the time has come for Indonesia to consider forming a dedicated Cyber Force as part of its national defense.

Global Cyber Threats Continue to Rise

Recent weeks have served as a serious reminder of the risks faced by operational technology (OT). In the Netherlands, hackers successfully breached critical infrastructure by exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched systems. This demonstrates just how susceptible vital sectors like energy and utilities are to cyberattacks. Furthermore, reports from security firms like Dragos highlight the immense financial losses from cyberattacks on OT environments, which can reach billions of U.S. dollars due to business disruptions and supply chain interruptions.

The Evolution of Cyber Threats: More Sophisticated and Destructive

Cyberattacks are no longer limited to simple hacking. Cybercriminals and other malicious actors are increasingly relying on more advanced tactics:

Haunting Ransomware: Ransomware groups like BlackSuit continue to threaten government, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors globally, even after their infrastructure is dismantled in international law enforcement operations. Meanwhile, Akira ransomware attacks are targeting security flaws in key perimeter defense devices like firewalls, showing that no system is completely immune.
"Living Off the Land": Attackers now use legitimate administrative tools already present within a system to disguise their activities. This makes detection more difficult and requires highly sophisticated monitoring capabilities to identify anomalies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Double-Edged Sword: AI is a vital tool for optimizing cyber defenses, but attackers are also leveraging it to create more automated and personalized attacks. Moreover, recent reports indicate that AI agents themselves are vulnerable to hacking, risking data theft and manipulation.

A Non-Stop Race in Cybersecurity

Recent events show how crucial speed is in responding to vulnerabilities. For example, the N-able N-central management system was exploited just hours after a critical fix was released. Likewise, major tech companies like Cisco routinely issue dozens of security alerts that require immediate action from administrators. This situation underscores that cyber defense is a continuous process, not a one-time purchase.

Why Indonesia Needs a Cyber Force

With a global threat landscape that is increasingly complex and coordinated, Indonesia can no longer rely solely on scattered cybersecurity units across various institutions. The need for a single, integrated command—a Cyber Force—would provide several advantages:

Fast and Coordinated Response: Enables a quicker and more coordinated response to large-scale cyberattacks, especially those targeting the nation's vital infrastructure.
Specialization and Specialized Training: Creates cyber experts focused on both defensive and offensive cyber operations, similar to the specializations found in the navy, army, and air force.
Deterrence: The presence of a strong Cyber Force would serve as a deterrent, making potential adversaries think twice before launching a cyberattack.

Bruce Schneier, a cybersecurity expert, once said, "Security is not a product, but a process." This statement is highly relevant to Indonesia's current situation. Establishing a Cyber Force is not an option; it is an urgent necessity to protect the nation's sovereignty in this era of unseen modern warfare.

Source: Weekly Cybersecurity News (2025)