FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The German government is preparing a significant reform of the legal framework for intelligence and cybersecurity, with the aim of strengthening the state's ability to respond to foreign attacks, including through cyber operations outside the country's territory.
According to the Interior Ministry, authorities are drafting two bills: one envisages expanding the powers of the foreign intelligence service (BND), allowing it to conduct cyber operations outside Germany; the other aims to give security institutions more power to counter hybrid threats and implement so-called "active cyber defense."
The initiative comes at a time when Germany has experienced a series of digital and hybrid incidents, including cyberattacks on state institutions and critical infrastructure. In recent years, German authorities have attributed several high-profile attacks to Russian intelligence services, including the attack on the Bundestag in 2015 and an attack on the Social Democratic Party in 2024.
In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that Germany will "respond, even abroad," emphasizing that authorities aim to disrupt the attackers' activity and neutralize their infrastructure.
According to POLITICO, this approach represents a significant shift in German policy and across Europe, where some countries have begun to incorporate offensive capabilities into their cyber strategies. Supporters of this line argue that purely defensive measures are failing to curb the rise of attacks.
However, the reforms face legal and political challenges. Changes to intelligence powers could require constitutional amendments, which require a qualified majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Meanwhile, the expansion of powers for “active cyber defense” is expected to be implemented without constitutional changes.
Within the ruling coalition, there are signs of support for expanding powers, provided that strict parliamentary oversight is guaranteed. Opposition representatives have demanded detailed clarifications on the legal basis and manner of implementing such operations.
Cyber policy experts warn that undertaking offensive operations against a foreign state carries the risk of diplomatic escalation and requires clear accountability and control mechanisms.
The draft laws are expected to be finalized by the end of the year, while the debate over the balance between national security and legal restrictions remains at the center of political discussion in Berlin.
Lini një Përgjigje