German defence minister makes case for nation’s new cyber-soldier unit
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Cyber-army
Berlin, April 5, 2017 (dpa/NAN) German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday defended the nation’s plans to create a new cyber-army aimed at heading off attacks on its defence forces mounted from online.
The minister made this known in his comments to mark the launching of the new 13,500-strong unit tasked with guarding the military against internet-based assaults from groups such as hackers.
“If the Bundeswehr’s networks are attacked, then we must also be able to defend ourselves.’’
She said the so-called cyber soldiers would be able to protect both Bundeswehr’s computer networks and weapon systems as well as launching attacks.
“As soon as an attack threatens the functioning and operational capacity of the armed forces, we can also defend ourselves by taking offensive action,” von der Leyen said.
“I believe the legal framework is clear when it comes to the armed forces’ foreign operations, which have to be approved by the German parliament, the Bundestag.
“Bundestag mandates determine the possibilities – and limits – (of foreign operations), this of course also applies to cyberspace,” she said.
The Bundeswehr also plans to bundle its existing IT operations into the new unit. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Abdullahi Yusuf