It’s a small world after all. As the Internet continues to connect peoples across the globe, individuals and groups drawn to destruction find new ways to wreak havoc on communications and services. Now, government leaders are coming together with each other and the private sector to form a united front and fight back because a vulnerability in any region can wreak havoc globally. A new multilateral federation is combating cyberthreats and cyberterrorism, creating greater security in developing networks and stopping dangers before they spiral out of control.
The International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Terrorism (IMPACT) has been launched to bring together the global community to prevent and counter cyberthreats. Membership in the organization is open to all countries, so developing nations can take advantage of existing expertise, and larger ones can help stop attacks. Certain corporations and research agencies also are invited to participate. IMPACT is modeled on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a government agency interacting with the private and academic sectors.
IMPACT aims to offer network solutions and ideas not available currently. Members will assess security efforts already underway and who is involved with them to determine what needs to be accomplished to protect the network better. The organization aims to fill the gaps it finds in security and defenses. The importance of protecting networks is not confined to ensuring Web sites and e-mails remain viable. Network security also involves guarding critical infrastructure such as transportation, communications, utilities and public services as well as financial services and other personal information.
IMPACT was launched at the World Cyber security Summit during the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) in May in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia has invested $13 million to get the organization underway and part of that funding will build a headquarters in the country. The headquarters will…