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There have been arson attacks, including one involving Poland\u2019s largest shopping mall that Prime Minister Donald Tusk subsequently said was definitively \u201cordered by Russian special services.\u201d | Aleksander Kalka\/Getty Images<\/p>\nThe organizations and companies hit by Russia have so far managed to avert calamitous harm. But these attacks are so dangerous and reckless that people will, sooner or later, lose their lives.<\/p>\n
There have been arson attacks, including one involving Poland\u2019s largest shopping mall that Prime Minister Donald Tusk subsequently said was definitively \u201cordered by Russian special services.\u201d | Aleksander Kalka\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more, their targets will continue losing a lot of money. The repairs of a subsea data cable alone typically costs up to a couple million euros. The owners of EstLink 2 \u2014 the undersea power cable hit by the Eagle S\u2014 incurred losses of nearly \u20ac60 million<\/a>. Closing an airport for several hours is also incredibly expensive<\/a>, as is cancelling or diverting flights.<\/p>\n To be sure, most companies have insurance to cover them against cyber attacks or similar harm, but insurance is only viable if the harm is occasional. If it becomes systematic, underwriters can no longer afford to take on the risk \u2014 or they have to significantly increase their premiums. And there\u2019s the kicker: An interested actor can make disruption systematic.<\/p>\n That is, in fact, what Russia is doing. It is draining our resources, making it increasingly costly to be a business based in a Western country, or even a city council or government authority, for that matter.<\/p>\n This is terrifying \u2014 and not just for the companies that may be hit. But while Russia appears far beyond the reach of any possible efforts to convince it to listen to its better angels, we can still put up a steely front. The armed forces put up the literal steel, of course, but businesses and civilian organizations can practice and prepare for any attacks that Russia, or other hostile countries, could decide to launch against them.<\/p>\n Such preparation would limit the possible harm such attacks can lead to. It begs the question, if an attack causes minimal disruption, then what\u2019s the point of instigating it in the first place?<\/p>\n