Cyber Security: Challenges and Policies

Modern societies are increasingly dependent on computer networks and IT systems in many respects: these days transportation, telecommunications, public utilities and public administration cannot function without a proper IT infrastructure. The undisturbed functioning of ICT systems used for civilian and military purposes and the security of data stored by them – cyber security for short – have become an issue of security of national interest, which is why national defence must also tackle the challenges threatening cyberspace security. This idea provided the motto for the EU Presidency conference of international experts, organized by the Ministry of Defence under the title ‘Cyber Security: Challenges and Policies’.

In his speech, Dr. Csaba Hende stressed that cyber security has become one of the key issues in international discourse on security policy. The Defence Minister pointed out that any technology can be turned to serve malicious purposes, to accomplish negative aims. He emphasized that modern-day societies are increasingly dependent on IT systems, so we must pay special attention to matters of cyber security. The Minister noted that cyber attacks may inflict serious damage on any country, as their consequences may affect the electricity and water supply, transportation systems,banking and finance as well as telecommunications networks. This means that computer-induced failures of digital networks may lead to physical damage. Dr. Csaba Hende gave some specific examples of cyber techniques used by one nation against another. Speaking about current threats, he also mentioned the issue of protecting intellectual property against theft, and gave an example of carrying out cyber attacks with the intent to steal designs of strategically important weapon systems or military equipment.

Csaba Hende expressed his hope that the conference would help us achieve the aforementioned important objectives and to develop more efficient cyber defence. Following the opening speech, Gábor Iklódy, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, MEP Tunne Kelam, Giuseppe Santomartino, the head of the EU Military Staff CIS Directorate, Ilmar Tamm, the director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCD COE) and several subject matter experts held presentations at the conference.

In the picture (from left to right): Gábor Márki, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Economy; Defence Minister Dr. Csaba Hende; Gábor Iklódy, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General; Péter Siklósi, MoD Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning.

Photo: Mária Krasznai-Nehrebeczky