Experts from around the world have gathered at ITU headquarters in Geneva to lay the foundation for a global response to the constantly evolving nature of cyber-threats and the increasing level of sophistication of cyber-crimes. Their strategy is based on a roadmap which will promote cyber-security from the start - a case of prevention rather than cure.
"Confidence and security in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are fundamental in building an inclusive, secure and global information society," said Dr Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union at the conference which commenced on October 5. "The legal, technical and institutional challenges posed by cyber-threats and cyber-crime are global and far-reaching, and can only be addressed through a coherent strategy taking into account the role of different stakeholders and existing initiatives, within a framework of international cooperation." Dr Touré explained that the ITU Global Cyber-security Agenda will provide such an international framework.
Costa Rica's President takes the leadThe Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) is an ITU framework for international cooperation aimed at proposing strategies for solutions to enhance confidence and security in the information society. It will build on existing national and regional initiatives to avoid duplication of work and encourage collaboration amongst all relevant partners.
In his keynote address, the Patron of the Global Cyber-security Agenda, Dr Óscar Arias Sánchez, President of the Republic of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, emphasised the magnitude of the task ahead. For him: "New and emerging threats to cyber-security cannot be solved by any one nation alone. There is an urgent need for an international framework, giving us international principles and allowing rapid coordination between countries at the regional and global levels. I invite you to join me in supporting ITU’s urgent effort, because peace and safety in the virtual world will become an ever more essential part of peace and safety in our everyday lives."
It was to reap the benefits of the vast reservoir of knowledge within the international community that Dr Touré had decided to convene the First Meeting of the High-Level Experts Group (HLEG) for the Global Cyber-security Agenda.
The meeting took place in Geneva on 5 October 2007 with some 60 high-level experts from governments, industry, academic and research institutions as well as regional and international organisations from around the world resolving to work together to take concrete steps towards curbing the threats and insecurities related to the information society.
Juhan Parts, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia, was keen to stress his own country's sucesses: "The Internet has grown to become the mainstream medium, not merely an alternative, for all types of information exchange in education and health. The Internet can also contribute vastly to the development and societal processes, including transparent government and effective democracy. Estonia has pioneered these possibilities,"
Like many countries, Estonia is facing new challenges: both threats and emerging problems that have to be solved. For example, in April and May of this year, Estonia successfully coped with extensive cyber-attacks — "cyber-riots" or "cyberterrorism" as some have called this phenomenon. "Building and maintaining trust among users is essential, as stated in the Geneva Declaration of Principles. A global culture of cyber-security needs to be promoted, implemented and developed in cooperation with all stakeholders," Mr Parts said.
The high-level experts’ group reached a common understanding on the next steps to be taken to move forward with the Global Cyber-security Agenda. Leaders were designated from amongst the experts for each of the five identified work areas:
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Legal measures: Stein Schjolberg, Judge at the Moss District Court, Norway;
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Technical and procedural measures: Jaak Tepandi, Professor of Knowledge Based Systems, Institute of Informatics, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia and Justin Rattner, Chief Technology Officer, Intel Corporation;
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Organisational structures: Taïeb Debbagh, Secretary-General, Département de la Poste, des Télécommunications et des Technologies de l'Information (DEPTTI), Morocco;
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Capacity building: Ivar Tallo, Senior Programme Officer, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); and
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International cooperation: Shamsul Jafni Shafie, Director, Security, Trust and Governance Department, Content, Consumer and Network Security Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
The deliverables of this group will be five strategic reports that will be consolidated into a global roadmap delivered to the ITU Secretary-General on how best to achieve the goals of the Global Cyber-security Agenda.
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