International Cyber Security Treaty Is Required

The threats of Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security attacks are alarming these days. As more and more Critical Infrastructure is connected to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a need has been felt to protect Critical ICT Infrastructures all over the World.

In a typical Cyber Attack by an Enemy State, the Critical Infrastructure is the first choice. Estonia witnessed this truth in the past. Further, in cases of Cyber Warfare and Cyber Terrorism also Critical Infrastructure is the chief target of Cyber Attack.

It is surprising that despite the seriousness of the issue we have no International Cyber Law Treaty and International Cyber Security Treaty. International Organisations and Institutions have still not taken Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security very seriously. Even Human Rights Protection in Cyberspace has not been taken by seriously by all concerned.

Organisations like United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), etc have also not shown much interest in this regard in the past. Now these Organisations have taken notice of the nuisances of Cyberspace and they are gradually shifting their attentions to Cyber Crimes and Cyber Attacks.

International Organisations dealing with Human Rights, Cyber Law and Cyber Security must start thinking in this direction as issues like Cyber Warfare, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Espionage, Cyber Crimes, E-Surveillance, Unlawful Interceptions, etc are “Transnational” in nature.

If different Countries would have different laws for these issues, it would be very difficult to truly enforce protective provisions against these menaces at National and International levels. It is high time for UN to seriously consider issues like International Cyber Law Treaty, International Cyber Security Treaty and Protection of Human Rights in Cyberspace.

International Organisations And Cyber Crimes

Cyberspace has become an important aspect for Policy Formulation and International Commercial Transactions. Internet and E-Governance has become ubiquitous and indispensable these days. With this growth comes the darker side of technology as well.

Cyber Crimes and Cyber Attacks have increased significantly. International Organisations like United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), etc are involved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in one form or other.

However, till now we do not have an Internationally Acceptable Cyber Crime Treaty. For instance, India is not a part of the European Union Convention on Cybercrime. Similarly, there are many countries that are not part of EU Cyber Crime Treaty.

United States has recently suggested that NATO must have an enhanced role in International Cyber Security. US is advocating an expansion of NATO’s “Threat to one is a threat to all” Treaty to Cyberspace as well. US has also formulated its International Strategy for Cyberspace.

Although the suggestion of US is worth considering yet NATO should not be the first platform where International Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security issues should be discussed. It is the United Nations that must be the platform where International issues of Cyber Law, Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security should be discussed.

We at Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) have been suggesting ICT Policies and Strategies in general and need for International Cyber Crime Treaty And International Cyber Security Treaty in particular. These are the issues whose time has come. Let us start the ball rolling.