A/74/120 irrespective of their levels of scientific and technological development. Moreover, Egypt believes that the United Nations should play a central role in leading the relevant international efforts and promoting dialogue among Member States to develop a common international understanding of the application of international laws and norms, rules and principles for responsible State behaviour in the information sphere, including the implementation of legally binding instruments. The most significant cyberchallenges and threats 1. Threat of penetrating and sabotaging ICT infrastructure New types of extremely serious cyberattacks have recently emerged, aimed at disrupting critical services and deploying malware and viruses to destroy or disrupt ICT infrastructure and critical industrial control systems, especially in key facilities , including entities of nuclear power, oil, natural gas, electricity, aviation, various forms of transportation, key national databases, government services, health ca re, and emergency aid services. Such cyberattacks deploy several channels, including wireless networks and mobile memory, and other common channels such as emails , websites, social media and telecommunications networks, which may have a significant impact on the utilization of critical infrastructure and associated services and businesses. In practice, critical facilities may be vulnerable to advanced cyberattacks, even if they are not directly connected to the Internet. 2. Threat of cyberterrorism and cyberwarfare Recently, dangerous types of cyberattacks and cybercrimes have spread, using advanced technologies, such as cloud computing, wiretapping and network intrusion devices, advanced encryption, and automated hacking tools targeting computer systems and databases. Additionally, advanced malicious software (malware) may be deployed to undermine network security systems and compromise computer systems to form botnets, which can be used later on in a variety of criminal and illeg al activities. An automated botnet may consist of tens, hundreds of thousands or million s of compromised computers that can be used to launch serious cyberattacks, such as Distributed Denial of Service attacks on targeted networks and websites for destructive, terrorism and/or extortion purposes. The development of complex and sophisticated computer viruses often requires advanced knowledge levels and non-conventional expertise, available only in technologically advanced countries, to be used for tactical, strategic and warfare purposes as well as in addition to, or sometimes instead of, conventional milit ary attacks, in what is known as cyberwarfare. However, such malicious technologies are being transferred, copied or reproduced by terrorist organizations for use in terrorist operations and organized crime, as well as in threatening and disrupting the ICT infrastructures for extortion and/or industrial espionage purposes. Egypt reaffirms the positions stated by leading cybersecurity experts who expect an increased proliferation of ferocious and sophisticated cyberattacks in the coming period. 3. Threat of digital identity and private data theft Digital identity theft is one of the most serious crimes that threaten Internet users and the future of e-services. Stolen credentials and personal data can facilitat e impersonating individuals in cyberspace and may result in monetary and property loss or may entangle the names of the victims in suspicious or illegal activities. The identity thief usually uses information already available on the Internet, especially on open social media and professional networks; national databases; networks of government services, social security services and health care; e-commerce websites; virtual markets; e-payment networks; automated teller machines (ATMs); and stock 19-10580 13/39