dualthreats

Dualthreats is a term used in risk analysis to describe threats that arise from two interacting sources or modalities, producing risks that exceed the sum of their parts when present together. The concept emphasizes cross-domain coupling and compound impact rather than isolated single-vectors.

In security disciplines, dualthreats can involve cyber-physical coupling, such as an online intrusion paired with physical tampering, or social and technical vectors, such as disinformation campaigns used to facilitate an intrusion. The term is also used in public health and disaster risk to denote simultaneous hazards that interact.

Mechanisms: Interactions can be sequential, where one threat enables or worsens the other, or simultaneous, where both operate in parallel. Amplification occurs through cascading effects, resource competition, or information asymmetry, complicating detection and response.

Assessment: Analysts use cross-domain risk models, scenario planning, and red-teaming to identify potential dualthreat pairings. Data integration across disciplines is essential, but the lack of standardized definitions can hinder comparability and benchmarking.

Mitigation: Approaches include defense in depth, multi-vector detection, rapid information sharing, and integrated incident response. Building resilience—redundancy, continuity planning, and cross-sector coordination—reduces the likelihood and impact of dualthreats.

Examples: A coordinated cyberattack that disrupts a power grid while attackers manipulate public messaging; a pandemic that stresses health systems while undermining supply lines with misinformation; a natural disaster combined with cascading cyber disruptions to critical infrastructure.

Related terms include multi-vector threat, cascading risk, resilience, and risk assessment.