ITU steps up cybercrime fight

Formal policy proposals submitted by the Global Cyber-security Agenda (GCA) will be put into action this week in order to create a stronger “global movement” towards curbing cybercrime.

The GCA is an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) framework that was set up in May. It aims to create international cooperation, with the goal of proposing strategies for solutions to enhance confidence and security in the information society.

The call to action comes after a gathering hosted by the ITU in Geneva on Friday, attended by over 50 cybercrime experts.

The conference looked at global strategies to fight cybercrime and agree on concrete steps towards the reduction of cyber threats and other misuses of ICT.

“After all the talk and policy proposals, the ITU is now coordinating action,” says Dr Alexander Ntoko, chief e-strategist on security at the ITU.

Continued dialogue on issues and experiences surrounding crime in cyberspace will continually be assessed and assimilated into existing policies in order to create a stronger global movement on the threat, he adds.

Cost of crime

Cybercrime comes in the form of online financial theft, fraud, network security, spam, identity theft and the proliferation of child pornography, explains ITU secretary-general Hamadoun Toure in the International Herald Tribune.

Ntoko explains that several billions of dollars are lost annually to online fraud and the rebuilding of crashed networks caused by online crime.

He adds that the cost of cybercrime is actually much higher: “Some financial institutions do not disclose cyber losses to protect their credibility in the industry.”

Africa's responsibility

He notes that although a global strategy needs to be implemented to fight cybercrime, Africa has a large responsibility when it comes to curbing undesirable cyber activity.

“At the moment, cyber criminals see Africa as a safe haven to operate illegally under impunity.”

He says cybercrime in Africa and other developing regions will become even worse as broadband technology takes off, allowing criminals to operate more effectively.

Ntoko explains that when countries like Japan and Korea became more technologically advanced in terms of broadband growth, cybercrime grew 20%.   POST YOUR COMMENT

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