Synthetic Asymmetry

The article argues that traditional deterrence strategies are ineffective against modern synthetic asymmetry, where non-state actors and cyber operations exploit technological convergence to cause disproportionate economic and societal disruption. It emphasizes the need for democracies to adopt 'synthetic resilience'—a capacity to absorb and adapt to multi-domain attacks—highlighting examples like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, which caused billions in downstream economic losses.

The article argues that corporate networks have become the primary battleground of national security, with private companies now direct participants in conflict rather than peripheral actors. Modern adversaries employ 'Synthetic Asymmetry'—using inexpensive, networked technologies to achieve disproportionate impact against corporate infrastructure that nations depend on. The piece contends that most corporations remain underprepared for this reality, treating cybersecurity as a cost center rather than a national security imperative.