After ‘Flame’ malware, ITU calls for more collaboration to tackle cybersecurity threats

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is calling for greater international co-operation between governments and the ICT industry to tackle the global nature of today’s cybersecurity threats.

The UN’s ICT agency made the calling after Kaspersky experts discovered, a couple of days ago, an unknown piece of highly complex Flame malware which was deleting sensitive information.

Malicious software also known as Malware is software that helps hackers to disrupt users’ computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

According to the ITU, international co-operation is a key element of its Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) and it is fully “engaging its Member States and all the world’s players in its activities, collaborating closely with its partners to identify current challenges, consider emerging and future threats, and propose global strategies to meet the goals of the GCA.”

A core element of GCA is the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT), an international public-private initiative – whose membership comprises of 142 countries – dedicated to enhancing the global community’s capacity to prevent, defend and respond to cyberthreats.

Commenting on the urgent need for global collaboration, ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré said, “Flame is a prime example of why governments and industry must work together to tackle cybersecurity at the global level.”

Dr Touré added that early warning of new threats is vital and it is critical that best practice on required corrective steps is shared in order to best protect the global information society.

Cybersecurity will be a major agenda theme at the ITU Telecom World 2012 in Dubai from October 14-18, 2012, it said.

By Ekow Quandzie