10 years since Stuxnet: What have we learned from this mysterious computer software worm?

Abstract

The Stuxnet worm emerged in 2010 and quickly became one of the most infamous malicious attacks to date. It challenged contemporary cybersecurity experts to evaluate their current approach and adapt to ever-increasing threats and issues. Moreover, for the first time, the attack caused by a computer worm left behind physical damage, classifying it, by many, as the first cyber weapon. In this paper, we assess 10year long progress in the cybersecurity field that arose from this attack. Likewise, in line with best practices, we propose reactive and proactive measures for the mitigation of omnipresent cybersecurity risks. Although the eerie presence of hackers presents constant trouble, understanding previous attacks and conducting further research is crucial to keep up with novel menaces.