'Cyberattacks lower warfare bar, rules key'

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to exacerbate cyberattacks around the world, there is an increasing need to adopt global standards, if not regulations, to tackle how cyberattacks are lowering the threshold of warfare.

- Shouvik Das

"Regulations are only one step in the entire cybersecurity conversation - an important step, but not absolute." - Philipp Rosler former vice-chancellor, Germany

In an interview, Philipp Rosler, who served as the federal minister of economic affairs and technology, as well as the vice-chancellor of Germany between 2011 and 2013, spoke about the state of cybersecurity in an increasingly fragmented world and how this affects global collaborations across sectors. Rosler, who is on the board of directors of $3.5-billion Swiss cybersecurity firm Acronis, also highlighted the increasing role of governments in modern-day cyber policies and why security companies will need to collaborate with, alongside adopting the right regulations. Edited excerpts:

How are major global economies progressing in cyber protection and policies?

Unfortunately, almost all regions are lagging behind in proper cyber protection because developments on the criminal’s end are way faster than at the common people’s, computer’s or infrastructure’s end. There is also not enough awareness among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) about accelerating risk.