Gaming out cyber-attacks

A shoot-out is less likely if both parties know the other is capable of massive retaliation

The Cold War and nuclearisation provided new impetus for game theory. Between 1950 and 1991, eyeball-to-eyeball situations that almost triggered a nuclear war occurred every so often, during the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, for instance. There was also a significant chance of launching nukes by accident, or in error, after mistakenly assuming the adversary had launched.

Even 75 years after Hiroshima, nobody has a credible defence against nuclear strikes. If nukes are ever used, they guarantee huge loss of life and utter physical destruction. Mutually assured destruction (MAD) became a catchphrase once both sides possessed three-strike capability (the