The practice of scrutinizing computational devices within contested spaces, falling short of conventional armed conflict, is a focused activity. This activity involves assessing the integrity and security of computer systems potentially compromised by malicious actors operating in these ambiguous environments. For example, a government agency might analyze laptops used by humanitarian workers in a region experiencing political instability to ensure sensitive data has not been exfiltrated or malware installed.
The significance of such analysis lies in mitigating potential risks. It helps safeguard sensitive information, identify vulnerabilities exploitable by adversaries, and attribute malicious activity. Historically, the protection of computer systems was primarily focused on securing physical perimeters. Now, the analysis of compromised systems in non-traditional conflict zones is crucial for understanding the evolving threat landscape and informing strategic responses.
