APEC Cybersecurity Tool Kit to be Developed for Corporations and SMEs
Business and government representatives have agreed to work together to address cybersecurity and cybercrime in the APEC region.
An important part of this work will include the development of a"tool kit" for use by corporations and SMEs to assess the electronic security measures required to protect their assets and investments.
These commitments were made during a dialogue conducted as part of the 28th session of the APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL) that began in Taipei on October 4.
Representatives from the Asia Oceania Electronic Marketplace Association (AOEMA), the Global Business Dialogue on Electronic Commerce (GBDe), and Microsoft agreed to work with the APEC TEL to develop the "tool kit."
Michael Baker, Executive Director, AOEMA said the tool kit will enable business to implement cost effective security measures appropriate to the level of risk to their information assets and systems.
"Information and network assets are as important as financial assets for companies" said Mr. Tomohiko Yamakawa from the GBDe.
"Protecting information and network assets and, at the same time, making the best use of them are essential elements of corporate strategy."
Steve Orlowski, Chair of the eSecurity Task Group which convened the meeting, said there has to be a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors to build a secure computing environment.
"Cybersecurity and cybercrime are not issues that can be addressed by government or business in isolation," Mr. Orlowski said.
"Governments can provide the regulatory environment but they rely on business and users to implement measures to protect their systems and to assist law enforcement in investigating cybercrime.
"Protecting essential telecommunications infrastructure requires global solutions and this means governments and businesses cannot work in isolation.
"This government to business dialogue was an initiative of APEC Leaders through their commitment to improve the capacity of member economies to address cybercrime.
"APEC TEL is working with economies to enhance their cybercrime legislation and enforcement capacity, and to develop computer emergency response teams that can exchange threat and vulnerability information."
Mr. Orlowski said that in response to the needs of business and government, "APEC is also working with European, American and Asian standards bodies and business groups to provide a global framework for secure and legally enforceable cross-border electronic transactions.
"Our aim is for users in all APEC economies to be able to use electronic signatures on their transactions and these will be recognised in all jurisdictions in the same way as a written signature."