Basic
Type of Adversary: Nation-state
Size: Government
Structure: Organized with structures
Targets
Political dissidents and anyone that acts contrary to their agenda.
Motivation
Politically motivated and the need to keep and maintain power.
Intent
Gain access to information sources and networks.
Utilize information to combat dissent and suppress civil society by shrinking civil spaces.
Technical Capabilities
Access to sophisticated hardware through already setup structures like government ministries, departments, and agencies. National media houses to carry out espionage.
Favored Means of Attack
- Physical credential harvesting and surveillance
- Torture, arbitrary arrests
- Physical intimidation, kidnap, and even killing opponents at times
- Office/home break-ins
- Targeted legislation, espionage
Resources
- Financial resources
- Human resources: police, army, weapons
- Technology access
- Many representatives in the parliament (tyranny of numbers)
Constraints & Limitations
- Unable to influence decision on the use of private software infrastructure like google, facebook, and other international organizations against its opponents.
- Unable to block or regulate circumvention tools that are owned by international proprietors
- Unable to coordinate and influence decision from the masses during crisis
