From autonomous vehicles to smart grids and space communications, cyber-physical systems (CPS) represent the new battleground of cybersecurity. Dr. Bruna emphasizes how these interconnected networks of digital and physical components expose vulnerabilities far beyond traditional firewalls. A single exploited weakness in a CPS—like an aircraft’s flight control or a car’s navigation system—can have catastrophic real-world effects.
Wargaming these environments allows organizations to simulate hybrid attacks that blend digital sabotage with physical disruption. It also highlights the importance of cross-industry collaboration, as the same tactics that protect a nuclear reactor might inform how we secure satellites or self-driving cars. As our infrastructure becomes increasingly intelligent, the call to protect it grows louder. Cyber-physical security isn’t just about defending machines—it’s about safeguarding the very systems that sustain modern life.