Dear GKD Members, Welcome to the DOT-COM discussion on Cyber-Security in International Development. We use the term cyber-security to refer to securing both data and information systems. Cyber-crime refers to violations of cyber-security with criminal intent, be it for financial, political, or social gain.
Cyber-security is everyone's business. Whether a casual computer user, a network administrator or a policy maker, we are all responsible for knowing as much as we can about protecting our data and information systems. The critical challenges we face in countering violations of cyber-security are: * The global nature of security threats - a cyber-criminal can perpetrate a crime in one country while operating from another country with a different legal framework. * The virtual nature of cyber-security - no physical intrusion needs to take place. Modern ICT networks make security much more complicated than in the past. * The processing power of computers - computers improve efficiency of most activities - including criminal behavior. A few people can do great harm using the multiplier effect of computer technology. Although cyber-security is a global issue, organizations, governments and individuals in developed countries often have a clear advantage in addressing such threats. They have easier access to information about new threats, as well as the means to counter them. They have more resources available to prevent security violations. In contrast, developing countries often lack the information and resources necessary to protect themselves. Many lack the infrastructure (both physical and legal) to prosecute cyber-crimes effectively, leaving their citizens vulnerable to fraud and exploitation. Worse yet, violations of cyber-security may be more damaging to developing countries. For example, if a country is perceived (rightly or wrongly) as a source of online fraud, all companies in that country will have difficulty doing business globally. Developing countries need more effective responses at every level: from the national government and legal policy, down to individual actions to protect personal data and equipment. Wherever awareness or information is limited, cyber-criminals tend to strike. We would like to focus this discussion on recommendations for positive, concrete actions needed from government, businesses, NGOs and individuals in order to enhance cyber-security. The Agenda: Week 1 - (9/20-9/24): Cyber-security and Human Rights Week 2 - (9/27-10/1): Cyber-security and E-commerce Week 3 - (10/4-10/8): Legal Infrastructure and Cyber-terrorism Week 4 - (10/11-10/15): New threats...and security measures...on the horizon The discussion builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (September 16, 2004) entitled "Cyber-security Issues in International Development Environments". More information on the session, and presentations by the speakers, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance web site <http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/events/cybersecurity.htm> ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about GKD's Cyber-Security discussion, the DOT-COM/Interaction Speaker Series, and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/ The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of September 20th) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org *** FOR FURTHER INFORMATION *** For further information about the DOT-COM Discussions, please contact: Barbara Fillip, DOT-COM Secretariat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information about the GKD List, please contact: Janice Brodman, dot-ORG, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------ This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
