The German government announced on Monday that it will create a new cyber-defense center in 2011.

Addressing reporters gathered in Berlin, Interior Ministry spokesperson Stefan Paris said online espionage and cyber-attacks against German interests were becoming more common.

"There has been a sharp rise in so-called electronic attacks on the networks of German government and local authorities," he said. "Germany is a very high-tech country with considerable experience and know-how, so of course others will naturally try to get hold of this knowledge - China is playing a large role in this."

Paris added that in the first nine months of 2010, there were around 1,600 such attacks, compared with 900 for all of 2009.

Germany following UK, US and NATO examples

Many nations around the world have already begun similar types of large-scale cyber-defense policies.

In October, the United Kingdom announced it would spend 650 million pounds ($1 billion) on improved cyber security, while the United States opened up its own Cyber Command as part of the military in 2009.

Over three years ago, NATO fast-tracked the opening of the Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, following cyber-attacks against Estonian political websites, banks and newspapers

Paris also noted that Germany's new cyber-defense centre will combine resources from various government agencies, including the federal police and Germany's foreign intelligence agency (BND).

Author: Cyrus Farivar (dpa, Reuters, AFP)
Editor: Sam Edmonds