"Germany is a founding member of the NATO cyber defense center," said Sven Sakkov, director of the CCD COE, according to spokespeople. "It is unlikely that an international conflict takes place without resistance in cyberspace, and all countries have to be able to implement effective rules of law in regard to what is happening in cyberspace as well as protect computer networks."

The center director noted that German defense forces are working on establishing a cyber defense unit. "Like many states," he added, "Germany is creating the ability to operate in cyberspace. It is a new world in which cooperation between allies is more important than ever before."

Based in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, NATO's CCD COE is a NATO-accredited knowledge hub, think tank and training facility which focuses on interdisciplinary applied research and development as well as consultations, trainings and exercises in the field of cyber security. Membership of the center is open to all allies.

Currently the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the US have signed on as sponsoring nations of the center.

Austria and Finland have become contributing participants — the status available for non-NATO members.