Co-operation, comprehensive strategies vital to facing cyber security challenges, says Estonian Defence Minister

VIENNA, 17 March 2009 - The cyber security of states depends on efficient international co-operation, said Estonian Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo, addressing a workshop on cyber security organized by the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) that started in Vienna today.

In his keynote address, Aaviksoo urged the OSCE States to adopt a dual approach to cyber security that emphasizes building a trusted international network and improving the resilience of information systems in each country.

"All OSCE States would in my opinion benefit from a more clear-cut arrangement where countries could discuss and share know-how and expertise to improve their own and other States' capabilities to withstand cyber attacks and to develop the resilience of their critical information infrastructures," he said. "This could come in the form of workshops or other forms of multilateral co-operation, and would be especially beneficial for countries where cyber security is still evolving."

He added that a comprehensive national strategy for cyber security must include aspects of national security, internal security, international co-operation, education and training, awareness programmes and legal instruments.

"As national cyber security can be attained only working together with other countries on an international level, Estonia's strategy has been to actively promote the building of efficient co-operative mechanisms and to initiate international consultations on cyber security," he said.

The FSC Chairman, Ambassador Eric Lebédel of France, said: "The OSCE has been proactive in reacting to the threat of cyber-terrorism. The participating States have worked to translate our conception of indivisible security into action," he said. "But much remains to be done to face this protean threat which affects all three OSCE dimensions of security."

The two-day FSC workshop brings together ambassadors as well as defence and security officials from OSCE participating States to discuss developing a comprehensive approach to enhancing cyber security. Participants will discuss threats to cyber security, national and international good practices and legal frameworks, co-operation with the private sector and civil society, and the role of the OSCE in developing a co-ordinated approach.

The FSC meets weekly in Vienna to discuss and take decisions regarding military aspects of security in the OSCE area, in particular confidence- and security-building measures.