WSIS Forum 2019: High-Level Track Outcomes and Executive Brief

Cybersecurity was one of the key enablers in order to enter the cyber era and activate e-Services, it contributed significantly to build confidence in these sectors, so citizens start to use home banking and e- commerce as well as e-health and e-government. Through the time it become more complex to maintain an adequate level of security and preserve confidence. Risks associated to the diffusion and pervasive role of ICTs are no more concerning our computer and data but involve privacy, safety, public opinion, governments, national security, transportations, home appliances, and more. After the explosion of the use of the Internet in the middle of the 1990s potential risks pertained more and more to the women side. Old and new dangers started to populate the network directly delivered on tablets and mobile phones. A special role in this risky environment was due to chatrooms and social media, a nowhere land where thanks to anonymous genderless profiles and always on geo references devices cyber criminals found a proactive environment. Till now despite experts efforts there are few countermeasures to minimize harm. GDPR in Europe is an attempt to protect privacy, national and international regulations/norms increase the opportunity to limit anonymity and pursue criminals but without risks awareness and proper education we cannot succeed. If we want to consider the positive side of cyber, women today have a rich set of technologies to help them from the basic mobile phone, geo location to CCTV and specific apps protecting them in case of sexual harassment or any abuse.” “As we all see cyber technology is merging every day with an increasing number of sectors, from the diffusion of smart phones always-on onward we embedded cyber technology everywhere, any sector, so today and much more tomorrow we will deal with cybercrimes or cyber abuse/misuse. Our washing machine might be hacked by ransomware, fridge might send orders for tons of food, Alexa might spy our private life and broadcast audio, smart home might not be any more perceived as “sweet”. There is an urgent need to foster a culture of cybersecurity starting from kids and reaching elderly people. Onar bin Sultan Al Olama Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (UAE) recently said: “It is very easy today for a nation to be attacked through hacking into its defence system unlike before when it required physical invasion.” From national security and cyberwarfare to our smart fridge and unmanned transport system we have to face security problems. Thank you for your attention”