A potential major IT strike by a state actor could lead to a military response from the US-led bloc, according to Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of NATO’s military committee. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Bauer emphasized that a large-scale state-sponsored cyberattack on a NATO member could activate the bloc’s Article 5 collective defense clause, resulting in a military intervention.
While acknowledging the complexities of attributing cyberattacks and determining their level of disruption, Bauer stressed the importance of responding to attacks that endanger critical services and hinder societal functions. The US-led bloc has previously warned that a serious cyberattack could trigger Article 5, but the specific criteria for activating the clause in the case of a digital strike remain ambiguous.
This discussion highlights the evolving nature of warfare in the digital age and the growing significance of cybersecurity on the global stage. As nations navigate the complexities of cyber threats and state-sponsored attacks, the need for robust defense mechanisms and international cooperation to address these challenges becomes increasingly paramount.