The first rule is to let the land do the hard work for you. Use the cliffs, rock faces, and narrow passes to funnel attackers and deny them cover. Build layered walls—stone or concrete—then a second line of trenches or berms so a breach doesn’t turn into a rout. Keep a tight control over any supply routes; block or monitor them with patrols, sensors, or simple checkpoints so the enemy can’t resupply. In a modern context those same principles hold, but the tools change. Drones and ground‑sensor networks replace lookouts; a small team of soldiers can hold a high‑ground position while artillery and precision‑guided munitions strike any advancing columns. Cyber‑defense is a new line of fortification: block communication, jam radios, and lock down any network that could give the enemy intel. And always keep a reserve—whether it’s a rapid‑reaction unit or an air strike—ready to swing the tide if the enemy breaks the first line. In short, lock the terrain, layer your defenses, control the supply and communication lines, and have a quick‑reaction asset to seal any breach. That’s the recipe that turns a small position into a fortress, even against modern firepower.

Constant drone eyes and cyber walls would do more than just block weapons—they would weigh on the defenders’ minds. Knowing every move is watched makes a commander over‑think, delaying decisions and tightening orders. Some might feel a false sense of safety, but the opposite is usually true: the pressure of being watched can erode trust in the chain of command, making troops more prone to panic if the surveillance fails or gets hacked. A good strategist would pre‑plan for that—establish clear, rapid‑reaction protocols, keep morale high with small, decisive actions, and train the team to act independently when the eyes go dark. In short, surveillance adds a psychological burden, but with solid discipline and contingency plans it can be turned into an advantage rather than a weakness.

Sun Tzu does warn that a commander must have a “plan of action for the unexpected,” and he emphasizes having an alternate line of retreat or a hidden reserve ready when the front line is compromised. He also stresses that troops should be trained to respond autonomously if communication is cut, so they can hold a position or fall back in a coordinated way. It’s the same idea: keep the plan simple, give clear cues, and trust your units to act if the “eyes” go dark.