The involvement of NATO in cyber security field is well known. However, the role of NATO via-a-vis traditional security and defence issues is more prominent and more effective as compared to cyber security field. The reason is not difficult to ascertain as cyberspace is very difficult to regulate and manage.

For instance, we have no internationally acceptable cyber security and cyber law treaties. As on date international harmonisation in the field of cyber security is missing. NATO and other international organisations must appreciate that cyber security is an international issue and it needs global consensus.

This is the main reason that the Tallinn Manual provided by NATO is not the right approach. No matter whatever NATO or its supporter may claim, the Tallinn Manual on the international law is not applicable to international cyber warfare attacks and defence at the international level.

In fact, NATO’s Tallinn Manual has started raising objections and Russia has already expressed its displeasure in this regard. Naturally, NATO would be aware of these developments and the same would be discussed during the forthcoming meeting of NATO.

Defense ministers from NATO’s 28 member states would meet on Tuesday and cyber defence would be the top agenda. Globally, cyber attacks have increased tremendously with invention of new and stealth malware. Botnets are increasingly used to launch sophisticated cyber attacks.

NATO has to keep itself well equipped to manage and tackle these cyber attacks. Further, NATO may be required to play a more pro active role in the future and if it does not start equipping itself right now, it may find itself in a fix.

The US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is all inclined to make cyber security a top discussion issue. Earlier NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen has also expressed that cyber-security is a key issue.