Cyber Warfare Is Getting Closer—What MSSPs Should Watch For

Cyber warfare used to be a government issue. Now, it’s a business issue, and MSSPs are on the front lines, Channel Futures reports. As geopolitical tensions rise, so do the cyberattacks tied to them. State-backed actors aren’t just going after federal systems anymore. They're hitting local infrastructure, utilities, defense contractors, and small businesses, many of which rely on MSSPs for security.

Unlike ransomware, these attacks aren’t financially motivated. Wiper malware and DDoS campaigns are designed to cause disruption and damage. That makes them unpredictable and dangerous, especially for industries that deliver critical services. For MSSPs, the message is clear: clients need more than just basic coverage. They need active protection against targeted, often politically driven threats that don't follow the usual playbook.

International conflicts have made it harder to track and prosecute cybercriminals. In places where there’s no diplomatic relationship, there's also no real accountability. That gives threat actors more room to operate. MSSPs supporting industries like oil and gas, utilities, and government-adjacent services should already be operating with this in mind, layering controls, tightening access, and reviewing response protocols.

This moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. MSSPs that step into more of a vCISO role, offering proactive security strategies, aligning with NIST or CMMC frameworks, and educating clients on evolving threat, stand out. As attacks get more complex and politically charged, the value of strong, MSP-delivered security will only grow.