Ukrinform correspondent stated this situation by German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock at the first NATO cyber security conference held in Berlin.

According to him, the alliance can provide resilience against cyber attacks by helping protect partners.

“By supporting Ukraine in cyber defense, we also protect ourselves. That’s why Germany provided Ukraine with 10,000 ground stations for its satellite internet system… We also contribute to Ukraine’s cyber potential by training cyber security personnel… Undoubtedly, we also have Ukraine’s “We have a lot to learn from. Right now, our Ukrainian friends probably have more experience in cyber defense than all of us combined,” he said.

He acknowledged that just as NATO’s close partners were vulnerable, so was the Alliance itself. This became clear when Russia attacked the ViaSat communications network on the day of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine. The attack not only caused an information blackout in part of Ukraine, the impact also spread to networks across Europe, with renewable energy providers in Germany temporarily losing connection to more than 3,000 wind farms.

“Cyber ​​attacks are not a game. They affect the real world. They threaten life and the economy. They pose a danger to our democracy and the rule of law… Cyberspace has become the nervous system of our society.” Burbok emphasized.

In addition, he added, cyberattacks have become a well-established business for organized crime to steal data and extort money. This illicit business is sometimes closely intertwined with state actors.

The head of the German Foreign Ministry said that international law is fully implemented in cyberspace but is violated every day. He called not to sit idly by and watch this “continuous erosion”, but to build a state practice of globally recognized responsible behavior in cyberspace.

Burbok reminded that in 2021, NATO accepted that collective cyber activity could be considered an armed attack. According to him, Alliance members need to be prepared to deal with malicious cyber incidents in peace, crisis and conflict. This requires updating the systems governments use, as well as those relied on by industries and citizens, from telecommunications to energy infrastructure and even gaming.

The first NATO conference on cybersecurity will be held in Berlin on 9-10 November at the German Foreign Ministry base. Politicians, military personnel, experts and private sector representatives attend the meeting.