Wassenaar Targets Cyber-Warfare Systems, Communications Surveillance with New Rules

– Military-grade offensive cyber-warfare technologies given increased controls through addition to military list

– Addition of offensive cyber-warfare technologies comes after significant concerns raised by private sector over impact on vulnerability assessments.

The multilateral export control organisation, the Wassenaar Arrangement, held its annual plenary meeting of member states on 4-5 December, and launched new export control measures that will be cascaded into legislation by member states.

The Wassenaar Arrangement has been established in order to contribute to regional and international security and stability, by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies, thus preventing destabilising accumulations. The aim is also to prevent the acquisition of these items by terrorists.

Under the new provisions to Military List item 21, software designed or modified for the conduct of military offensive cyber operations will be controlled as a military technology.

Source: https://www.janes.com/article/93116/wassenaar-targets-cyber-warfare-systems-communications-surveillance-with-new-rules