Cyber Warfare and Cyber Defence: Centre of Excellence in Estonia
Cybernetic war is now reputed to be one of the major threats facing the technologically advanced societies of our planet. The methods currently or potentially employed by the malefactors embody but are not limited to attacks defacing web-sites; promoting destructive messages by web means; intercepting classified information; disrupting equipment and even disabling vital infrastructure like water, power, communications, transportation, commercial systems. The peril of internet-based warfare stood out after a recent series of high-profile attacks launched against government networks in Britain, Germany, India, Australia and Estonia.
No wonder that cyber defence is currently considered to be a priority of the highest level along with energy security and missile defences. It includes various measures aimed at identifying and neutralizing malicious cyber operations. However, the traditional counterintelligence methodology is less efficient in providing the necessary information to counter the cyber-attacks. Much of the advanced technology used in conventional warfare, like say satellite imagery is ineffective. New techniques are to be mastered and employed in order to get a capacity of operating in the realm of cyber.
It was in Estonia, where private and public institutions came under a large-scale cyber-assault in the wake of the removal and relocation of the Soviet era monument in the country capital Tallinn in April of 2007. This very incident prompted NATO to reassess its approach to cyber defence. In October 2007 the Allied Defence Ministers called for the development of a NATO cyber defence policy; the latter was adopted in the early 2008.
Recently, seven NATO nations and the Allied Command Transformation signed the documents for the formal establishment of a Cooperative Cyber Defence (CCD) Centre of Excellence (COE) precisely in Tallinn, Estonia.
Generally speaking, the Allied Command Transformation recognizes Centres of Excellence as national training centers providing high-quality education and training to the Euro-Atlantic community. The Centres are funded nationally or multinationally and have individual relationships with NATO states; the latter are formalized through memoranda of understanding.
Having a staff of 30 persons, the Centre in Tallinn will conduct research and training on cyber warfare. The Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre will help NATO members in protecting key information systems and developing the ability to counter possible cyber attacks.
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