Defense dept. expands digital warfare

A special Cyber Command has been established so that the Dutch army may now shut down opponents' computer networks using viruses. This command will be officially launched by Minister Hennis-Plasschaert this afternoon. This Cyber Command is the successor of an existing task force, which was engaged in securing their own military networks. The security of own military networks will remain the main goal of the Cyber Command. According to researcher Kees Homan of the Clingendael Institute, digitally bombing the opponent will probably only become more important. "Before Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 with tanks, they first bombed the networks of the Georgian army, making them digitally deaf and blind." Homan also sees opportunities in the fight against ISIS. "You can imagine that before a military operation, the telephone networks and command signals from ISIS combatants are first identified and shut down." Sixty additional people have been appointed to combine cyber knowledge. Defense is also training fourteen soldiers with hacker abilities.