OECD Governments Launch Drive to Improve Security of Online Networks

07/08/2002 - OECD governments have drawn up new Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems and Networks in the wake of last year's September 11 attacks in the United States, in order to counter cyberterrorism, computer viruses, hacking and other threats.

The Guidelines are designed to develop a "culture of security" among government, business and users in an environment of worldwide expansion of communications networks, increasing interconnectivity across national borders, converging technologies and ever more powerful personal computers.

Amid growing worldwide dependence on information systems and networks, the Guidelines demonstrate OECD governments' commitment to the stable and productive development of online communications. They urge all users of information technology, including governments, businesses and individuals, to adhere to and implement nine basic principles covering such areas as security awareness and responsibility and respect for ethical and democratic values.

Although the Guidelines are non-binding, they are the product of a consensus between OECD governments resulting from discussions that also involved representatives of the information technology industry, business users and civil society. OECD governments and other participants will draw on them in establishing policies, measures and training programmes for online security.

Governments in other countries are invited to adopt a similar approach, while businesses are asked to factor security into the design and use of their systems and networks and provide security information and updates to users. All individual users are urged to be aware and responsible and take preventive measures to lessen the security risks inherent in an interconnected world.

These Guidelines replace guidelines first issued in 1992 as a basis for improving international co-ordination and co-operation to meet the evolving challenges and risks posed by threats to information systems and networks.

The text of the Guidelines is available in English, French and Spanish. For more information on the Guidelines and other aspects of OECD work on communications technology, journalists should contact: Taizo Nakatomi in the OECD's Science, Technology and Industry Directorate (Tel:[33] 1 45 24 96 93) or go to www.oecd.org/sti/security-privacy.