Critical minerals are raw materials that are hard to substitute and essential for manufacturing advanced technology, including semiconductors, batteries, magnets, and precision electronics. Examples include rare earth elements, cobalt, nickel, and certain refined metals used in chip fabrication and infrastructure hardware.
In cyber security, they matter because technology supply chains depend on them. If access is limited by export controls, refinery concentration, logistics disruption, or supplier compromise, production of chips, network gear, and data-center equipment can slow or stop. Attackers may target the broader supply chain to create availability risk, while defenders reduce exposure by mapping suppliers, verifying provenance, and diversifying sources and processing paths.