"American aid workers and human rights activists are used to being under fire by authoritarian regimes. Siding with those that embrace democratic values, freedom, and human rights, the work of these activists undermine dictators and gives hope to the oppressed. For this, they are routinely targeted for abuse and their lives are put in danger. Too often unnoticed, their work is also increasingly being jeopardized by cyber attackers, usually state sponsored, seeking to disrupt their mission. Lately there has been a very public escalation of cyber-attacks, forcing rights groups to anticipate and respond to this invisible threat."