OSCE explores next steps in strengthening comprehensive cyber security

VIENNA, 9 May 2011 - The OSCE’s future role in tackling challenges arising from cyberspace security is the topic of a two-day international conference that started in Vienna today.

Building on the OSCE’s trademark comprehensive approach to cyber security, the focus of the conference is to explore the future OSCE role in this thematic area by drawing on the organization’s strength as a platform for co-operative security.

“The conference will look into how the OSCE could potentially bridge various existing approaches  towards cyber security. Developing a set of norms of behaviour in cyberspace could be one option in this regard”, said Eitvydas Bajarūnas, Political Director at the Foreign Ministry of Lithuania, on behalf of the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship. He added  that "while countering cyber threats we need to ensure our shared values of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy remain firmly entrenched“.

In this regard, participants will exchange views on the desirability of developing norms governing state behaviour in cyberspace to promote greater predictability and confidence between states during potential cyber-security-related crisis situations.

The conference will also review the multitude of threats emanating from cyberspace and how cyberspace is used and abused. Participants will highlight responses to different types of cyber challenges, including by international and regional organizations.

“Addressing cyber threats alone is beyond the capacities of even the strongest and most developed countries. International co-operation will be necessary and multinational fora such as the OSCE will have a key role to play in this regard,” said Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the OSCE‘s Head of External Co-operation.