A growing clash between East and West is unfolding online as states battle for dominance in an unseen arena. This struggle stretches from China to the United States, placing significant pressure on Europe’s most exposed borders.
Athens warns of rising tensions
Greece’s top cyber official, Michael Bletsas, says the country faces threats that many European partners fail to recognise. He argues that Greece sits in a difficult position on Europe’s southeastern edge, where geography shapes its digital risks.
Different threats for different regions
Northern Europe is experiencing hybrid incidents, including sabotage and disruption. By contrast, Greece has avoided such attacks, yet it faces relentless cybercrime instead. Officials report rising activism online, frequent denial-of-service attacks and growing attempts at digital vandalism.
Criminals gain power from AI
Bletsas warns that artificial intelligence is helping criminals carry out more complex attacks. He says Greece is witnessing a sharp increase in espionage and cyber intrusions, which demand quick responses and stronger defences.
No space for digital neutrality
In the wider conflict between global powers, Greece cannot remain neutral, according to Bletsas. He stresses that Athens must manage threats from an aggressive neighbour that other European states do not view in the same way.
Physical and digital worlds converge
Bletsas believes that modern security must treat physical and digital systems as one connected structure. He says Europe must strengthen its defences now, because digital warfare is already a present-day reality.
Greece, standing at the continent’s edge, is part of this struggle whether it chooses to be or not.
