Will The Second Worldwide Cyber Security Summit Of London Succeed

One of the major problems with Cyber Law and Cyber Security is that it is International in nature. Nations across the World are committing mistake by considering it a National Issue and giving it a National Treatment.

This is also the main reason why we have no Cyber Law in many countries and a poor Cyber Law in some countries like India. Since there is no “International Obligation” to prevent Cyber Crimes and to protect the Cyber Rights and Properties of its Citizens, a country may have little incentives to stress upon Strong Cyber Law and Robust Cyber Security.

Consider the example of India. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act 2000) is the sole Cyber Law of India. It has been amended through the Information Technology Amendment Act 2008 (IT Act 2008). The purpose of IT Act 2008 was neither to strengthen the Cyber Law of India not to cater the growing needs of Cyber Security in India. Its main purpose was to empower Indian Government and its Agencies to indulge in Unaccountable and Unconstitutional E-Surveillance and Eavesdropping. The truth is that Cyber Law of India needs urgent repeal.

Further we have no Cyber Security in India, Cyber Security Policies and Strategies in India and Cyber Security Laws in India. Even India is not a party to any International Convention or Treaty on Cyber Law. This explains why India is the only country that has made its Cyberspace a “Safe Heaven” for Cyber Criminals by making almost all the Cyber Crimes Bailable.

Even US has said that existing Laws are sufficient for meeting the Cyber Law and Cyber Security requirements at the International level. Now if both US and India are not serious about “International Harmonisation” of Cyber Law and Cyber Security Framework, they can be little benefited out of Conferences like the Second Worldwide Cyber Security Summit Of London.

US has recently revealed its International Strategy for Cyberspace. Further, an India US Cyber Security Cooperation has also been signed recently. However, these are “Piecemeal Efforts” as without “International Harmonisation” Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Attacks cannot be effectively tackled. International Organisations must be more proactive towards fighting Cyber Crimes at International level. Time has come to abandon the “Bilateral Agreements” approach and adopt Multilateral and International Harmonisation approach.

India Us Cyber Security Cooperation Agreement Signed

India and US have been cooperating in the cyber security field for long. However, due to some bad experiences, India and US cyber security forum was closed. Now India and US have once more revived the cyber security cooperation between themselves. This was an anticipated move to remove the deadlock that was preventing a mutual cooperation in the field of cyber security between these two countries.

Now under the India US homeland security dialogue, a deal between the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-IN) and Computer Emergency Response Team of US (US-CERT) has been finalised. CERT IN and CERT US are the lead agencies in the respective countries to respond to cyber attacks.

The CERT-IN and US-CERT are likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for sharing of expertise in artifact analysis (study of traces of virus and worm), network traffic analysis and exchange of information. They also decided to cooperate in capacity building and to work together, and with other countries, to advance cyber security standards.

The US, while making public the strategy, called for global partnerships to set international computer security standards with penalties for countries and organisations that would fall short. Though the US did not single out any countries while releasing the strategy, it seems intended to prod China and Russia to allow more internet freedom, crack down on theft of intellectual property and bring into force more effective laws to protect privacy of computer users.

US has already made clear its international strategy for cyberspace. To achieve this goal the US will build an international environment that ensures global networks are open to new innovations, interoperable the world over, secure enough to support people’s work, and reliable enough to earn their trust.

This is a good step in the direction of bilateral cyber security initiatives. However, international organisations must play a more direct and pro active role to fight cyber crimes. It is good to see that international community is getting serious to fight the nuisance of cyber crimes.