From 2015, Denmark will be developing cyber warfare strategies toward hostile countries and organisations. About DKK465 million ($75 million) will be invested in the creation of an offensive cyber warfare unit by 2017, a move originally put forward by the MoD.
According to its plan, the task will be assigned to the Defence Intelligence Service (FE), and it will be the first time that the espionage agency will have the power to conduct cyber-attacks.
The decision comes as a reaction to hacker attacks against the Danish defence industry, Business and Growth Ministry, and Maritime Authority. Several enterprises have been targeted, too, with China seen as the main suspect, according to news sources.
However, the initiative to move from defence to attack in cyber warfare has sparked debate. Experts disagree that a cyber-attack could be considered equal to a military operation and if yes, then to what extent, since waging war requires the Parliament’s approval.
Danish Defence Minister Nicolai Wammen is positive that cyber warfare will not contradict the national legislation: “I am convinced that the constitutional requirement to include Parliament in the given situation can be reconciled with any concerns in relation to the operation’s implementation and security.”