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Atomic Clocks Become Crucial Weapons in Global Cybersecurity Battle
5 Sep
Summary
- Countries strengthening timekeeping systems vital for communications, finance, and power plants
- Prospect of time being used as a weapon transforms advanced horology into a strategic priority
- Disruptions to GPS signals reveal vulnerabilities in timing-dependent systems worldwide
In September 2025, the world is facing a growing threat to the high-tech clocks on which it depends, prompting international action to make timekeeping systems more precise and less vulnerable to sabotage and accidental disruption.
Countries are now focusing on strengthening the vital timekeeping infrastructure that underpins communications, financial transactions, and the operation of power plants. This shift in priority comes after incidents of wartime tampering and unexpected outages have exposed weaknesses in these systems.
The prospect of time itself being wielded as a weapon has transformed the once-rare field of advanced horology into a strategic priority for governments. Disruptions to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as the recent GPS interference incident at Plovdiv airport in Bulgaria, have revealed the far-reaching consequences of timing-related problems, affecting everything from emergency services to electrical power grids.
To address these vulnerabilities, nations are pursuing various initiatives, including the development of small, portable atomic clocks and the deployment of ground-based timing and navigation facilities that operate independently of satellites. These efforts aim to reduce reliance on GNSS and ensure the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of potential attacks or outages.
