The Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace: Here’s what’s happening across the pond

It’s no secret: cybersecurity and data protection have taken the spotlight in virtually every conversation of the public space. Governments, political figures, private firms, multinational corporations, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and even families are making the shift to prioritizing online safety and funding updated security initiatives.

One of the first policies in this wave of data legislation was introduced in May of 2018. Called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and created in the European Union, this policy put privacy back into the hands of consumers throughout the world by requiring their explicit, revocable permission for companies to email market to them or use their personal data for financial gain. Another, more recent effort was introduced in France at the end of 2018.

On November 12, 2018 at the UNESCO Internet Governance Forum (IGF), French president Emmanuel Macron launched the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace. According to the website of the French government, “States” (what would be called “countries” in the United States) must work together, but also collaborate with private-sector partners, the world of research and civil society, in order to respect people’s rights and protect them online as they do in the physical world.

Some of the most significant aims of the Paris Call include, but are not limited to:

• Increase prevention against and resilience to malicious online activity
• Cooperate in order to prevent interference in electoral processes
• Improve the security of digital products and services as well as everybody’s “cyber hygiene”
• Work together to strengthen the relevant international standards

Click here for the full list of aims of the Paris Call, or to download the full text document.

In just the few months since November 2018, hundreds of countries have joined in support of the Paris Call, as have corporations, smaller governments, organizations and businesses of all natures and sizes. Translation: cybercriminals are getting smarter and braver, but so are the good guys.

 

Stay up to date on all things security by visiting the Secure360 blog. Better yet, register to attend Secure360 Twin Cities, May 14-15, 2019 at Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN.