A Defence Force review admits it needs a new strategy to deal with the increase in malicious cyber activity.
The National Cyber Policy Office says the increasing cyber threats and malicious activity targeting New Zealanders, businesses and the Government include state-sponsored cyber espionage, intellectual property theft and so-called hacktivism.
A spokesperson said it was essential the Defence Force's information networks were protected.
She said New Zealand's reliance on information technology would bring inevitable vulnerabilities and not just from the risk of malfunction.
"The cyber environment provides opportunities for those with criminal, hostile or offensive objectives."
She would not go into details about what the exact implications were for the Defence Force, or how they would combat the threats.
"It is not possible to provide specific information about the cyber capabilities of the NZDF as this would likely prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand."
The Defence Force previously said New Zealand's geographical isolation provided no protection against cyber threats.
