Communications infrastructure From large-scale state-sponsored cyber espionage via telecommunications infrastructure to the targeting of satellites and undersea cables, geopolitical tensions continue to manifest through the increasing number of attacks on critical communications infrastructure.23 Following the 2022 attack on ViaSat’s satellite network that highlighting the consequences of a cyberattack on military communication and civilian life in Europe, there were 124 further recorded cyber operations against the space sector in the context of the conflict in Ukraine.24 With the increased reliance on space technologies, it is a prime target for espionage, operational disruption and weaponization. Undersea cables are crucial for global data flow and economic exchange. Their strategic role makes them vulnerable to monitoring and disruption, especially with limited defence measures and rising geopolitical tensions. Incidents in the Baltic Sea since the start of the conflict in Ukraine highlight the urgent need to protect these critical pieces of infrastructure.25 Climate and energy As the global climate crisis intensifies, its implications for cybersecurity are becoming increasingly significant. Modern technology relies heavily on substantial energy consumption, rendering power grids highly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Simultaneously, energy systems are undergoing a profound transformation as societies transition to renewable technologies. It is essential that these emerging energy systems are designed with security as a foundational priority; otherwise, in the effort to address an existential crisis with urgency, there is a risk of introducing vulnerabilities that could undermine the reliability of this new energy infrastructure, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and society. 18 Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025