Cyber Threat Landscape of G4 Nations: Analysis of Threat Incidents & Response Strategies

Abstract

The application and development of communications and information technology has created a new battleground. The cyber threat is growing rapidly with high pace and variation in the world. It will significantly affect international relations in the 21st century. These threats can be both planned and unplanned and it can come from different sources, like information warfare, hackers, criminals, virus writers, contractors or disgruntled employees working within an organization. This paper brings out a comparative assessment of cyber threats in the G4 Nations which are emerging economies and at higher risk of cyber-attacks. The paper gives an overview of the state of cyber threats and response strategies of G4 Nations. This study focuses mainly on the factors which makes them vulnerable targets of such attacks as well as on the impact assessment of such attacks on these economies. While the impacts of these threats cannot be over emphasized, recommendations were proposed on how these threats can be minimized if not totally eliminated.