Science & technology | Digital dominance

A new global ranking of cyber-power throws up some surprises

America rules digital national security, China is not far behind

CHINA HAS the world’s largest army. Russia wields the most tanks. America owns the fanciest satellites. But who has the most cyber-power? A new National Cyber Power Index by the Belfer Centre at Harvard University ranks 30 countries on their level of ambition and capability. Offensive cyber-power—the ability to do harm in or through computer networks—is one measure. But so too are the strength of a country’s defences, the sophistication of its cyber-security industry and its ability to spread and counter propaganda (see chart).

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Digital dominance”

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