As a response to the growing threat of cyber-attacks, Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer Brad Smith suggests the creation a “Digital Geneva Convention”, inspired by the Fourth Geneva Convention that aims to protect civilians in times of war.

In addition to industry hacking that focuses on economic or military espionage, Smith highlights the increasing threat of nation-state attacks that have the aim of curbing free expression or even influence democratic processes.

Smith argues that although many technology companies are committed to providing stronger protections for customers, it is necessary for governments to affirm cybersecurity norms. He also proposes the creation of an independent organisation that would investigate and disclose nation-state attacks. Moreover, Smith urges technology companies to collectively commit to the protection of internet users.

There seems to be a growing trend to consider cyber-attacks as comparable with other forms warfare: for instance NATO defined cyberspace a as warfare domain last year.