UN Chief Urges Global Rules For Cyber Warfare

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (pictured) has called for global rules to minimise the impact of electronic warfare on civilians as massive cyber-attacks look likely to become the first salvoes in future wars.

Computer hackers, many of them believed to be state-sponsored groups, last year disrupted multinational firms, ports and public services on an unprecedented scale around the world, raising awareness of the issue. 

Recently, US Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three Russian companies on charges of conducting a criminal and espionage conspiracy using social media to interfere in the 2016 US election. 

“Episodes of cyber warfare between states already exist. What is worse is that there is no regulatory scheme for that type of warfare, it is not clear how the Geneva Convention or international humanitarian law applies to it,” Guterres said in a speech to his alma mater, the University of Lisbon. 

“I am absolutely convinced that, differently from the great battles of the past, which opened with a barrage of artillery or aerial bombardment, the next war will begin with a massive cyber-attack to destroy military capacity... and paralyse basic infrastructure such as the electric networks.” 

He offered the United Nations as a platform where various players from scientists to governments could meet and work out such rules “to guarantee a more humane character” of any conflict involving information technology and, more broadly, to keep the internet as “an instrument in the service of good”. 

Addressing professors and engineers after receiving the university’s honorary degree, Guterres urged them to contribute to the process, which had to run much faster than before. Traditional ways of working out such rules could take decades, too slow for the rapidly changing technology scene. 

A group of NATO allies said last year they were drawing up cyber warfare principles to guide their militaries on what justifies deploying cyber-attack weapons more broadly, aiming for agreement by early 2019. 

Some NATO allies believe shutting down an enemy power plant through a cyber-attack could be more effective than air strikes.

Ein News

You Might Also Read: 

NATO Cyberwar: Establishing Rules Of Engagement:

Pentagon Considers Nuclear Retaliation To Big Cyber Attacks:

N. Korea Threatens The World With Cyberwarfare - Not Nuclear Missiles:


 

 

« AI Will Boost Cybercrime & Security Threats
Corporate Defence Plan Against Cyberattacks »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

Resecurity

Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Vertical Structure

Vertical Structure

Vertical Structure services include Security & Penetration Testing, Information Assurance, Bespoke Training Programs and Secure Hosting.

Eden Legal

Eden Legal

Eden Legal provides legal services on commercial and regulatory issues affecting digital businesses.

National Cyber Security Centre (NKSC) - Lithuania

National Cyber Security Centre (NKSC) - Lithuania

NKSC is the main Lithuanian cyber security institution, responsible for unified management of cyber incidents, monitoring and control of the implementation of cyber security requirements.

Secure Recruiting International (SRI)

Secure Recruiting International (SRI)

SRI is an industry leader in Information Security , Networking, Wireless and Storage recruitment.

Openminded (OPMD)

Openminded (OPMD)

Openminded is a French security and network services company.

CARICERT

CARICERT

CARICERT is the National Cyber Emergency Response Team of Curacao in the Caribbean.

Telelogos

Telelogos

Telelogos is a European provider of Enterprise Mobility Management software, Digital Signage software and Data Transfer and Synchronization software.

Radically Open Security

Radically Open Security

Radically Open Security is the world's first not-for-profit computer security consultancy company.

ACM-CCAS

ACM-CCAS

ACM is a UKAS-accredited certification body helping businesses around the world perform to a higher standard. Our certifications include ISO 27001 and ISO 22301.

Prosperoware

Prosperoware

Prosperoware develop software for cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance for content systems, and financial matter management.

ALSCO

ALSCO

ALSCO is dedicated to bringing first class IT services, technical support, and solutions to goverment, companies and organizations worldwide.

International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI)

International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI)

International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators provides services and information about financial fraud, fraud investigation and fraud prevention.

ProArch

ProArch

ProArch is a global team of multidisciplinary experts in cloud, infrastructure, data analytics, cybersecurity, compliance, and software development.

PCCW Global

PCCW Global

PCCW Global is a leading communications service provider, offering mobility, voice and data solutions to multinational enterprises, telecomms partners, cloud and application service providers.

Certcube Labs

Certcube Labs

Certcube Labs provide a broad range of services in the areas of Assessments, Development, Risk Advisory, Blockchain, Forensics Investigations, Managed Security Solutions, and IT Security Trainings.

RESTIV Technology

RESTIV Technology

RESTIV Compliance Copilot is your partner in continuous compliance. Real-time monitoring, continuous testing, and transparent evidence—no surprises, just peace of mind.