Not only are the impacts getting closer, they are accumulating.
Cyber criminals are no longer just keeping the economy on their toes, but also politics - and politics must finally act.
Otherwise, the skirmishes in the virtual world of bits and bytes threaten to result in a solid armed conflict.
Liberal societies would therefore do well to soon turn their expressions of intent to put an end to the digital snipers into action.
Harsh words towards Moscow and Beijing are a start - and it is done.
What is needed now is a geopolitical framework that does justice to the real risks of hacker attacks.
Attacks on IT systems in power plants, water suppliers, clinics, oil pipelines or pharmaceutical companies can cost millions of people their lives.
Why not put the use of cyber weapons on a par with nuclear, biological or chemical warfare?
Why not outlaw them as much as poison and nerve gas?
The West would therefore be well advised to seek the offensive on the political front.