Developing countries are at higher risk of being the target of cyberattacks, a United Nations-led forum on cybersecurity heard today, where experts discussed ways to mitigate this phenomenon at the national and international levels. “The economic impact and consequences of cyberattacks against critical physical infrastructure, the banking system, national health systems, essential government and industry databanks and services could be extremely high,…Cyberattacks have the potential for triggering inter-State and other conflicts which can put the entire development process at considerable risk. Developing countries, with relatively weak surveillance capacity are most vulnerable to such cyberattacks,”according to Lazarous Kapambwe, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). – From UN News Centre Sources. The UN was hosting a “Cybersecurity and Development” at UNHQ in NYC. Mr. Kapambwe stressed that because of the ubiquity of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in everyday life, the impact of cyberattacks is magnified, and appropriate measures to prevent them must be put into place. (Read –“Internet Security Openness/Privacy Forum” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/internet-security-openness-privacy-forum-concludes-by-ambassador-mo/35706 ). Among those participating in the forum were ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré and the Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Fortunato de la Peña, who set the stage for a panel discussion addressing the topic of building an international framework to combat cybercrime and improve cybersecurity. Mr. Touré underscored the huge toll that cybercrime takes on the global economy through online fraud, identity theft and lost intellectual property. “In the 21st century, we are absolutely dependent on ICT networks, We are all vulnerable.” He echoed Mr. Kapambwe’s remarks, saying cybersecurity should be of particular concern for developing countries, pointing out that some of the States with the most cyberattacks include Brazil, China, India and Russia, all emerging economies. (Read: - “Connectedness Translates to Prosperity” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/connectedness-translates-to-prosperity-by-ambassador-mo/41754). ITU currently has a programme in conjunction with the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) which provides expertise, facilities and resources to countries to prevent, defend against and respond to cyberthreats. ITU has also established a partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime assist States in mitigating the risks posed by cybersecurity and cybercrime. (Read: “Kazakhstan Call for Cybersecurity Treaty to Address Hacking” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/kazakhstan-call-for-cybersecurity-treaty-to-address-hacking-by-ambassador-mo/35315 ). By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey


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