Layers of Cyberspace What is cyberspace? To many of us, cyberspace is the virtual world we experience when we go online to communicate, work and conduct everyday tasks. In technical terms, cyberspace is the interdependent network of information technology that includes the internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems and internetconnected devices. For the military, and when considering our efforts to counter threats in cyberspace, it is an operational domain, along with land, sea, air and space. How is cyberspace experienced? Cyberspace is, by definition, a ‘shared’ space and its scale and complexity means that every person’s experience of it is unique. Citizens access cyberspace when they check their bank accounts online or stream a film at home. Businesses use cyberspace to connect their staff with the resources they need, whether this is access to information or control over a manufacturing process. Governments provide public services to their citizens using online portals. Cyber professionals look ‘under the hood’ at the technology, standards and protocols that make it all ‘just work’ for users. All these groups use cyberspace in different ways and for different purposes, and we are all making an ever-greater use of it. 18 National Cyber Strategy Online experience • • • • • • • • Software, systems and data Physical devices and communication • • • • • • • • • • • Email accounts Gaming profiles Social Media account Bank account login Contactless travel card ID Fitness tracker profile Enterprise IT systems Databases, e.g. HMRCs tax records Industrial control systems Windows/OS Apps, eg WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok Programming languages, Python, C++ Routers, Hubs Servers WiFi, Ethernet Radio Antennas Smart fridges Contactless travel card reader Phones, PCs and other personal devices