Global criminal networks can spy on 7 million computers worldwide, which means the Arab world must step up its defenses, said participants in a recent Tunis conference.
By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 02/02/10
Arab states need to strengthen their information security in order to bolster e-commerce and beat online pirates, according to IT specialists who gathered January 25th-27th in Tunis under the auspices of the Arab League.
Conference participants discussed adopting e-signatures and developing public-key infrastructure (PKI), an internet data encryption method that protects consumers from fraud. They concluded that the region should embrace standardized security regulations and e-authentication infrastructure to cut the threat of internet attacks.
"Navigating [the internet] without control or safeguards may create risks for users. Hence there is a need for security applications and systems of government," George Sadowsky, a board member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), told conference participants.
Sadowsky, whose not-for-profit corporation is dedicated to keeping the internet secure, called information piracy widespread, with criminal networks capable of spying on 7 million computers worldwide. He urged those taking part to create a plan of action to guarantee safe internet use.
The main problem concerns the lack of a "digital culture" in Arab countries, said Sadowsky. "We have to teach young people within a framework that puts internet security first," he said.
In addition to taking an overview of the current system of electronic certification structures, the conference also recommended the establishment of an Arab forum on PKI.
"The time is ripe for Arab countries to establish an entity to co-ordinate [our] efforts in the sector and to benefit from successful experiences", Dr. Fahd Houni of the Digital Verification Center in Saudi Arabia told participants.
Other participants stressed the need for regional collaboration in bridging internet security gaps.
"There must be co-operation between Arab nations to stimulate trade and increase security," said Arab Advisers Group general manager Jaoued Abassi, who added that "fears of e-commerce" have prevented the region from developing effective internet security systems.
The forum's final report also considered the use of mobile phones to conduct e-transactions, due to the high proliferation of mobile phones and the substantial penetration of mobile telephone systems throughout the Arab world.
Tunisia, who hosted the conference, underlined its ongoing commitment to its digital development.
"Tunisia has been at the forefront of this area by adopting a national development strategy for the next five years," said Tunisian Technology Minister Mohamed Naceur Ammar.
Ammar said that Tunisia was looking to expand internet bandwidth to 100 gigabytes per second by 2014 and create a third-generation telecommunications network.
The Tunis conference continued the work of a 2009 Kuwait event devoted to creating an information society in the Arab world.
Source: Magharebia.com
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/02/02/feature-02.
By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 02/02/10
Arab states need to strengthen their information security in order to bolster e-commerce and beat online pirates, according to IT specialists who gathered January 25th-27th in Tunis under the auspices of the Arab League.
Conference participants discussed adopting e-signatures and developing public-key infrastructure (PKI), an internet data encryption method that protects consumers from fraud. They concluded that the region should embrace standardized security regulations and e-authentication infrastructure to cut the threat of internet attacks.
"Navigating [the internet] without control or safeguards may create risks for users. Hence there is a need for security applications and systems of government," George Sadowsky, a board member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), told conference participants.
Sadowsky, whose not-for-profit corporation is dedicated to keeping the internet secure, called information piracy widespread, with criminal networks capable of spying on 7 million computers worldwide. He urged those taking part to create a plan of action to guarantee safe internet use.
The main problem concerns the lack of a "digital culture" in Arab countries, said Sadowsky. "We have to teach young people within a framework that puts internet security first," he said.
In addition to taking an overview of the current system of electronic certification structures, the conference also recommended the establishment of an Arab forum on PKI.
"The time is ripe for Arab countries to establish an entity to co-ordinate [our] efforts in the sector and to benefit from successful experiences", Dr. Fahd Houni of the Digital Verification Center in Saudi Arabia told participants.
Other participants stressed the need for regional collaboration in bridging internet security gaps.
"There must be co-operation between Arab nations to stimulate trade and increase security," said Arab Advisers Group general manager Jaoued Abassi, who added that "fears of e-commerce" have prevented the region from developing effective internet security systems.
The forum's final report also considered the use of mobile phones to conduct e-transactions, due to the high proliferation of mobile phones and the substantial penetration of mobile telephone systems throughout the Arab world.
Tunisia, who hosted the conference, underlined its ongoing commitment to its digital development.
"Tunisia has been at the forefront of this area by adopting a national development strategy for the next five years," said Tunisian Technology Minister Mohamed Naceur Ammar.
Ammar said that Tunisia was looking to expand internet bandwidth to 100 gigabytes per second by 2014 and create a third-generation telecommunications network.
The Tunis conference continued the work of a 2009 Kuwait event devoted to creating an information society in the Arab world.
Source: Magharebia.com
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/02/02/feature-02.
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