How realistic is Zero Day and can it happen in real life? Explored

Netflix’s political thriller Zero Day has captivated audiences with its gripping story of a massive cyberattack on the United States. The show follows former U.S. President George Mullen (played by Robert De Niro) as he is called back to investigate the crisis.

With its plot and big-name cast, Zero Day feels scarily realistic. But how true-to-life is it? Could something like this actually happen? Though Zero Day is a fictional series, cyber experts warn that large-scale cyberattacks, though unlikely, are a real threat.

Michael S. Schmidt, a Pulitzer-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times, stated,

“For over a decade, if not more, the government has been warning that there is a catastrophic cyberattack that could hit the country.”

The U.S. government has long feared a “cyber 9/11” or “cyber Pearl Harbor” that could cripple national infrastructure. Cyberattacks targeting infrastructure have already happened, though not on this scale.

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack and the 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack are examples of real-world cyber threats, so according to the experts, Zero Day can happen in real life too.

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What is Zero Day about?

The six-episode series centers around a cyberattack that cripples the country. The attack leads to thousands of deaths and complete national chaos. Mullen, now retired, is chosen to lead the investigation through the newly formed commission.

As the series unfolds, Mullen discovers a deeper conspiracy involving powerful politicians and tech moguls who orchestrated the attack for their own gain.

In the show, hackers infiltrate widely used Panoply apps with malware. This malware spreads quickly, taking down vital systems, including transportation and communication networks. The result? Absolute panic and destruction, with over 3,000 lives lost.

Congress swiftly establishes the Zero Day Commission to investigate the attack, appointing Mullen as its leader. Within just a month, Mullen is presenting findings before Congress and exposing the perpetrators on live TV. But is such a fast-moving investigation realistic?

Government processes are known for being slow, but in times of crisis, things can speed up. Political consultant Schultz confirms that emergency commissions can be created quickly, thanks to contingency funds and special powers granted during national emergencies. However, full investigations into complex cyberattacks typically take months or even years.

In the series, Speaker of the House Richard Dreyer (Matthew Modine) masterminds the attack. He believes that creating a crisis will restore public trust in the government. He assembles a secret coalition, including Congresswoman Alexandra Mullen (Lizzy Caplan), to push his agenda. However, his plan backfires when Mullen exposes him.

The show serves as a warning about cybersecurity risks. It also reminds individuals and businesses to stay vigilant, update their systems, and be aware of digital threats. Zero Day might be fiction, but the dangers it presents are real. While the speed of the government response in the show might be exaggerated, the potential for cyber warfare is very much a reality.

The question becomes not if such an attack could happen, but when.

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