Inside the Code War: Defending Against Nation-State Cyber Threats

Inside the Code War: Defending Against Nation-State Cyber Threats

From Infosecurity Magazine Podcast by Infosecurity Magazine

April 20, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the rising threat of nation-state cyber operations with Allie Mellen, focusing on military strategies and the need for strategic thinking in cybersecurity.

In this episode of the Infosecurity Magazine Podcast, we speak with Allie Mellen, author of Code War: How Nations Hack, Spy, and Shape the Digital Battlefield, about the rising threat of nation-state cyber operations. Mellen breaks down how the US, Russia and China use cyber capabilities as core elements of military strategy, exploring the evolution of their cyber doctrines and how they differ in goals, escalation and integration with conventional warfare. From Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics to China’s long-term espionage campaigns, she explains why defenders must think strategically, not just technically. For CISOs and security leaders, this episode offers a vital briefing on the geopolitical realities of cyber threats, the rise of cyber mercenaries, supply chain weaponization and why all organizations must prepare for persistent cyber espionage. Code War: How Nations Hack, Spy, and Shape the Digital Battlefield is available now.

People in this episode

Guest: Allie Mellen

Topics covered

  • nation-state cyber threats
  • cyber operations
  • military strategy
  • cybersecurity
  • geopolitical realities
  • cyber espionage

Keywords

  • cyber threats
  • nation-state
  • cybersecurity
  • military strategy
  • cyber espionage
  • cyber mercenaries
  • supply chain weaponization

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Code War: How Nations Hack, Spy, and Shape the Digital Battlefield

Places: US, Russia, China

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