Final answer:
Cybersecurity issues have become politicized due to their impact on national security and the democratic process.
Electronic hacking of elections represents a significant change from past methods of influencing foreign elections.
Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election encouraged them to pursue cyberattacks as a means of exerting influence.
Hack of an election can become the basis for war under certain circumstances. Free and open elections are still possible with the right measures in place.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cybersecurity issues have become politicized due to their potential impact on national security and the democratic process.
The increasing reliance on technology and interconnected networks has made countries vulnerable to cyberattacks, leading to concerns about safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of critical systems.
Cybersecurity is different from other areas of national defense because it involves not just physical threats but also virtual ones.
The intangible nature of cyberattacks and the difficulty in attribution make it challenging to address cybersecurity issues effectively.
Electronic hacking of elections represents a significant change from past methods of influencing foreign elections because it allows for covert interference on a large scale.
Traditional methods of foreign election interference, such as propaganda campaigns, relied on influencing public opinion, but electronic hacking can directly manipulate election results or undermine trust in the electoral process.
Events such as Russia's interference in the 2016 US presidential election, which involved hacking and leaking sensitive information, have encouraged Russia to pursue cyberattacks as a means of exerting foreign influence.
The success and relative impunity with which Russia carried out these attacks have emboldened them to continue such efforts.
The hack of an election can become the basis for war if it is seen as a significant threat to national security or if it escalates tensions between countries.
However, it is important to note that the response to a cyberattack is not automatically a military conflict but can involve diplomatic, economic, or other non-military measures.
While cybersecurity challenges exist, free and open elections are still possible with the right measures in place. It is crucial to invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure, educate voters and candidates about potential risks, and ensure transparency and accountability in the election process.