Cyber warfare poses serious threat to global peace and security: IPU Assembly

Participants in an Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly meeting agreed here on Sunday that cyber warfare is a serious threat to global peace and security.

According to a report released at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security of IPU, the increasing use of the internet and interconnected computer systems over the past years has resulted in a sharp rise in the number of cyber attacks.

The cyber warfare is defined as war waged in cyberspace and consisted of mainly military activities using computer systems and networks to attack an adversary, said the report.

Cyber attacks conducted during peace time without unleashing a war cannot in fact be described as cyber warfare. However, they can lead to the implementation of non-military coercive measures in cyberspace or in the real world, such as economic or commercial measures or boycotts, according to the report.

The report proposed that members of parliament, as representatives of the people, can play a pivotal role, in particular, in striking a balance between national security, human security and individual freedom.

During the meeting, parliamentarians will carry out debates on a draft resolution on cyber warfare that will be passed on Tuesday.

The 132nd IPU Assembly is being held in Hanoi from Saturday to Wednesday with the participation of top leaders of global parliaments, regional inter-parliamentary and international organizations. Endi