      interests. Acts transcending national boundaries and challenges linked to attribution of cyber operations are characteristics of cyberspace. While the majority of cyber operations have so far been executed in a precise and targeted manner from a technical point of view, we have recently seen cases within which cyber tools were used at random and causing unintended harmful effects. In addition, we observed a lowered threshold to conduct malicious cyber activities with harmful effects. Such cyber operations can have indirect and unintended harmful effects and generate damage to vital services/critical infrastructures and systems. Healthcare is among the most vulnerable systems and has recently come to be exposed to cyber threats. Cyber has also become an additional vector to spread disinformation and influence public opinion in order to undermine trust and confidence in political and democratic processes and institutions. Lastly, due to the continuous digitalization of processes and the roll-out of new technologies to support this development, the supply chain grows increasingly complex and interdependent. Interference or limitation will have ever-growing disruptive effects in terms of security and reliability. In general, the OEWG and the UN GGE should focus on those cyber threats that could have serious implications for international peace and security. 3.2 International Law       The promotion of a strong international legal order governing activities in cyberspace is in Switzerland’s view essential for the prevention of conflict, to sustain peace in cyberspace, as well as for stability and accountability. The digital domain is a multiplier for democracy and human rights: it gives people a voice, a chance to express themselves freely, and gives them unprecedented access to information. Switzerland believes that people should enjoy the same rights online that they enjoy offline. Switzerland welcomes the efforts undertaken by the 2010, 2013 and 2015 UN GGEs to enhance the understanding of the application of international law to cyberspace. The 2013 and 2015 consensus reports stated and confirmed that international law applies to the activities of states in cyberspace. Switzerland is of the view that international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, apply and govern activities in cyberspace. The non-exhaustive reference to a number of international law principles in the UN GGE 2013 and 2015 reports is a strong affirmation of the rule of international law in cyber space. Switzerland would like to recall in particular the principle of State sovereignty, sovereign equality, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, the prohibition of the use of force, non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States, and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The specific characteristics of cyberspace, such as the absence of territorial borders, the enormous speed of operations, and the challenges linked to attribution, raise a number of questions to be discussed further, as to how international law applies in practice. 3.3 Rules, norms and principles for responsible State behavior   The UN GGE consensus report of 2015 provides a substantial list of recommendations as to how states should behave in a responsible way. In Switzerland’s view, this is a milestone as it contributes to setting the standard for responsible state conduct. Norms, rules, and principles for the responsible behavior of States have an important stabilizing potential. Switzerland believes that efforts should be concentrated on the 3/4