Experts discuss cybersecurity challenges

09/06/2009

The field of information security is growing rapidly, as the risks and vulnerabilities of private data become more visible to the public. Experts say governments must use a global approach to address the problem.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 09/06/09

[Getty Images] Citizens, experts say, are partly responsible for the security of their own information.

Cyber-security fever is spreading around the world. Experts warn that if proper measures are not taken to protect sensitive information on the web, cyber-security vulnerabilities could pose a threat to the security of countries, not just individuals.

Putting that in mind, the Tunisian International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organised earlier this month a two-day Regional Cyber-security Forum for Africa and Arab countries. The forum took place in Tunis and was dubbed "Connecting the World Responsibly".

Officials and experts from many African and Arab countries attended the forum. Their main task was to identify some of the challenges their countries face to enhance cyber-security and secure the infrastructure to protect critical information.

"We are trying to confront cybercrime threatening our countries," said Miloud Amezien, head of the ITU Arab Regional Office. "Advanced IT and communications technology give pirates an opportunity to exploit the web in order to commit their crimes, take advantage of vulnerabilities of software, and hack databases of companies and organisations."

Participants agreed on a process to share information and join actions to develop cyber-security mechanisms, taking into consideration the key principles of matching the borderless and trans-national nature of cyber-threats.

ITU officials warned that attempts to address the challenges on national and regional levels will not be adequate enough to come up with solutions. In a statement, the ITU encouraged a global approach to these challenges.

Participants in one of the sessions during the forum reviewed means of enhancing the culture of cyber-security through creative partnerships, stressing the need to work together to effectively confront threats. They also agreed to share technical skills and called for investments in the field to allow a better capacity for development.

Citizens are also responsible for using the internet properly, participants said, to help with the security and protection of their own information.

Lamia Chaffai Sghaier, Secretary of State in charge of Information, Internet and Free Software urged officials to attract skilled Arab and African professionals to work in those countries and benefit the field of cyber-security, which in turn will create job opportunities for them.

The ITU, though its Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA), established a framework for international co-operation in the field of cyber-security. The GCA will enable the ITU to identify the techniques, procedures and organisations that can assist in confronting the threat of cybercrime.