Towards an international road‐map for cybersecurity

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the full potential of the internet has not yet been realised. One of the key reasons for this is users' declining trust in the internet. Over the past two decades, the internet has transformed many aspects of modern life. With an estimated four million users worldwide at the end of 2006, the use of the internet continues to grow. Building trust and confidence is one of the main enablers for the future growth and use of the internet. The paper aims to review some of the reasons behind the declining trust, the changing nature of cyber‐threats, and aims to look at cybersecurity in the context of developing countries and the specific problems these countries are facing when dealing with growing number of cyber‐threats.

Design/methodology/approach

This contribution gives an overview of some of the evolving cyber‐threats and their potential impact in order to determine whether the growth of the information society is really at risk. It further considers what the different stakeholders can do to build a safer and more secure information society. The paper poses questions, outlines possible options for a way forward and based on this gives the readers a better understanding of the issues and challenges involved in building confidence and security in the use of ICTs. The paper proposes a framework with increased co‐operation, collaboration, and information sharing, to connect the individual cybersecurity communities and single initiatives, in order to allow stakeholders to build together a roadmap for cybersecurity.

Findings

During the discussions leading up to and during the two phases of the World Summit on the information society, country representative participants re‐affirmed their commitment to deal effectively with the significant and growing problems posed by spam and other cyber‐threats. As no single country or entity can alone create trust, confidence and security in the use of ICTs, it is clear that increased international action is needed to address the issues involved.

Practical implications

This paper tries to provide readers with a simple overview of the state of cybersecurity, and with a framework for further considering how new technologies and the growing use of the internet will impact upon stakeholders' trust in the use of ICTs.

Originality/value

Along with increasing dependency on ICTs, new threats to network and information security have emerged. These include growing misuse of electronic networks for criminal purposes or for objectives that can furthermore adversely affect the integrity of critical infrastructures within states. This paper puts forward some concrete suggestions on how countries could look at the issues related to cybersecurity.

Citation

Sund, C. (2007), "Towards an international road‐map for cybersecurity", Online Information Review, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 566-582. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520710832306