Attacks

Attacks are acts intended to cause harm, disruption, or coercion against persons, groups, organizations, or states. The term covers a broad range of actions, from armed assaults in warfare to criminal violence, cyber intrusions, and other forms of aggression carried out to achieve strategic, political, or ideological objectives.

Common types include military attacks using armed force against another state or non-state actor; terrorist attacks designed to intimidate civilians; cyber attacks that compromise information systems or disrupt services; and economic or information attacks such as sanctions, boycotts, or disinformation campaigns.

Legal and ethical frameworks distinguish legitimate self-defense and proportionality from aggression. International humanitarian law seeks to limit harm during war, while laws against criminal violence prosecute individuals. Attribution, accountability, and the prevention of harm are central challenges in addressing attacks, especially in the cyber domain.

Prevention and response involve risk assessment, security measures, rapid incident response, resilience-building, and diplomatic or law-enforcement measures to deter future actions. Understanding motivations, targets, and potential consequences helps policymakers, organizations, and communities prepare for and mitigate the impact of attacks.