Brussels 11.07.2024 NATO allies agreed to launch a new cybersecurity unit aimed at warning military commanders of emerging hacking threats. The decision was announced during the 75th NATO Summit in Washington D.C. on July 10. (Image above: illustration).

The Integrated Cyber Defense Centre’s mandate will include sharing threat intelligence on cyber threats to private infrastructure that is “necessary to support military activities,” the alliance explained in a statement. The center will be based at NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium.

NATO computer networks are regular targets for spies, and the multitudes of criminal hackers. The current Summit is not an exception, while pro-Russia hackers claimed to have targeted NATO websites to “keep up the appearances”.

“In recent days, our cyber experts have detected a substantial increase in attempted hack and leak activities, claimed by various groups on the dark web,” a NATO official said. “Similar events occurred during last year’s Summit so this does not come as a surprise. NATO’s classified networks have remained operational at all times.”