Comprehensive approach needed to tackle cybersecurity threats, says OSCE anti-terrorism head at London Counter Terror Expo

LONDON, 14 April 2010 - International co-operation such as the multilateral dialogue promoted by the OSCE is crucial to combat terrorist use of the Internet and boosting cyber security, Raphael Perl, the OSCE Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, said today at the Counter Terror Expo 2010.

"As cyber-threats are truly transnational threats, effective responses need transnational co-ordination and co-operation," he told the high-level event. "Regional organizations such as the OSCE play a critically important role in this regard. We have already established strong working-level partnerships with many other international and regional entities and we look forward to further strengthening them in 2010 and beyond."

Though the Internet can be a tool for terrorists, Perl called on Expo participants to also view it as an instrument in the work to counter criminal and terrorist activity while respecting and protecting human rights.

"Websites are a treasure trove of information about terrorist and other criminal groups," he said.

Anonymity and difficulties in verifying identities online enable criminals to use the Internet for their purposes, Perl said.

"As long as law-enforcement authorities cannot locate with certainty the origin of a cyber attack, cyber terrorists and all other cyber criminals have a decisive advantage," he said.

"In terms of anonymity in cyberspace, the responsible elements of society are in an ongoing arms-type race for the competitive technological edge with terrorists and other criminals. And unfortunately, at this point in time, the good guys are not always winning. Ever-increasing instances of cybercrime clearly illustrate this phenomenon," he said.

Foreign Ministers from the 56 OSCE participating States in a decision in December 2009 affirmed their willingness to promote a comprehensive approach to cyber security as part of their work to tackle transnational threats.