14 DAY TRIAL // It has been known that, similar to other countries, Germany’s military has a division that dedicates its activities to protecting computer networks from cyberattacks, but now authorities have confirmed that a cyber-warfare unit that possesses offensive capabilities also exists.
According to Stars and Stripes, a German parliamentary document confirms the existence of the top-secret cyber-warfare unit set up in 2006.
Reportedly, attack simulations have already been performed in a “closed laboratory environment” and have achieved the capacity to operate in hostile networks.
The six-page paper describing the unit has been presented to the parliamentary committee of defense, but, apparently, it has raised some concerns. Some have argued that the military may not have the right to attack the computer systems of other countries without parliament’s approval.
We find it somewhat difficult to believe that people are still surprised when a super-power such as Germany admits to have a cyber-warfare unit. By now, most governments must have realized that owning an army of hackers is just as important as having nuclear missiles.