The realm of conflict between states that could lead to war has expanded in recent years. The United States and other major military powers are gearing up to defend themselves from attack in cyberspace, just as they have done in the past from land, sea, air and outer space attack. The U.S. has identified, but not yet named, more than 20 nations that now have military units dedicated to employing cyber technology in war. The roll call certainly includes China and Russia, as well as the U.S. itself.
China said in May that its armed forces would conduct their first cyber exercises in June to "test new types of combat forces." The exercises would involve "digitalized units, special operations forces, army aviation and electronic counter forces," the official Xinhua news agency said. Earlier this year, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu gave the General Staff several months to complete proposals to set up an army cyber command by the end of 2013.
However, Western cyber officials and analysts say that the announcements by China and Russia formalize moves that are already well established. A 2011 survey commissioned by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research found that 33 states, including China and Russia as well as the U.S., included cyber warfare in their military planning and organization.