The First Cyber War Began Decades Ago

Long before major data breaches became household news, Moonlight Maze saw hackers infiltrate American government networks for two years straight. It remains one of the earliest examples of state-sponsored cyber espionage in history.

This massive breach ran undetected from 1996 to 1998 while intruders silently funneled sensitive data out of sensitive U.S. systems. Security officials were stunned by the sophisticated, persistent nature of the attacks, which forced them to redefine how they viewed national security. It marked a turning point where nations realized the digital landscape had become a permanent, invisible battlefield. Today, this operation serves as the historical benchmark for modern persistent digital threats.