TMCnet News
Global Internet security meeting kicks off in Kenya, cyber crime high on agendaNAIROBI, Sep 27, 2011 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A four-day meeting aimed to address cross-border challenges facing Internet governance officially kicked off in Nairobi on Tuesday. The forum, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which brought together over 1,500 telecommunication experts from across the world will also discuss how and by whom the Internet is governed. ''The main issues of focus include cyber crime and cyber security, mobile internet, innovation, freedom of expression online, privacy, intellectual property rights among others, and how these issues impact peoples daily lives,'' said Kenya's Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo. Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the opening ceremony, Ndemo said how the issues make their way into national and international policy and regulatory agendas will also be discussed. He said the conference will look at examples of global Internet governance issues that may have particular relevance to development, and how Internet governance can be integrated into development approaches, at the national and international levels. During the plenary discussions on Monday, participants took stock of the widespread use of information technology in education and health sectors. Kenya's Information Minister Samuel Poghisio said Kenya had increased broadband access for use in schools while his counterparts from Rwanda and Uganda had already made similar strides to include health. ''We want to achieve greater penetration in broadband access and high speed internet in the rural areas. We want to make our teachers embrace information technology as a learning tool to ensure the growth in this sector is accelerated,'' said Poghisio when he opened the High Level Ministerial Meeting. The minister said the forum will give the Kenyan community a chance to engage in discussing Internet governance issues with stakeholders from around the world as well as showcase workshops to the international community present. ''The meeting is hoped to be an eye opener to the global community on the fast growth of e-sector in Kenya, thus greater opportunities for investment,'' he said. UN Assistant Secretary-General Thomas Stelzer said the IGF provides for an open and inclusive dialogue and an opportunity to create new dynamics between participating institutions. ''Through information exchange, best practices are shared, risks and challenges are addressed and a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities is bolstered, which is valuable for all players involved,'' Stelzer said. The plenary saw participating countries acknowledge the greater need of enhancing cyber security to protect Internet users worldwide. According to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Secretary General Hamadoun Toure, governments should put in place round the clock Internet surveillance to prevent cyber-crime. Toure called for the need for governments and the private sector to enter into partnership to ensure measures to guard Internet users in order to realize the full benefits of information technology growth. The meeting will also focus on issues such as the diffusion and use IPv6 (Critical Internet resources) and how innovative policies for Access and Diversity can ensure the potential of the Internet becomes a reality for all. The forum whose main theme, "The Internet as a catalyst for change, access, development, freedoms and innovation" will brought together delegates representing governments, the private sector, civil society, the Internet community, international organizations and the media. Other debates will look at the issues of Security, Openness and Privacy, a uniquely IGF perspective which links these core policy concerns. Some of the workshops will debate issues such as filtering, the impacts of actions taken to cut access to the Internet for individuals, groups or entire countries. The session will build upon last year's discussion on protecting freedom of expression and innovation. The Forum will also examine the role of traditional and new media, and professional and citizen journalists, in the Internet 3.0 world. Joseph Alhadeff, the VP of Global Public Policy said Africa should take advantage of the availability of digital frequencies to make mobile Internet accessible to rural areas even before broadcasters making the digital migration. For Kenya, the development and spread of the Internet and mobile phones is opening up new horizons for connecting people and communication to a global network for sharing information and ideas. The Internet presents new opportunities for capturing and enhancing the benefits that communication has for development including innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, self- expression, collaboration and political engagement. The issue of Internet governance has been both highly engaging and controversial, main issues being the distinction between public policy making and technical coordination. The blurring of this distinction has created an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the kind of decision-making processes needed and who should have a voice in making those decisions and creating policies. |