German officials used a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels on Thursday to tell allies that Berlin would make its cyber capabilities available, including offensive elements. "Just as we provide army, air force and naval forces to Nato, we are now also in a position to provide Nato capabilities on the issue of cyber within the national and legal framework that we have," German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said.
The US, Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Estonia have all made their offensive cyber weapons available to the alliance - and announced it publicly - in the expectation that the threat of counterattack may deter would-be aggressors.
As with other military resources such as tanks and jets, alliance members retain control over their cyber capabilities and make them available to Nato when requested for missions and operations.
Targets for offensive cyber tactics can include anything with an internet connection, including computers and smartphones, right up to devices which control key machinery at power plants and transport networks.