Call for international accords against cyber attacks
A recent article in the influential business magazine, The Economist, calls for international cooperation to build up defences against cyber-attacks
The Economist is always coy about its authors so it is impossible to identify the writer. Some might find it ironic that a magazine, well-known for espousing free market solutions, is advocating regulation of something that represents its ideals?
For example, the article states: "NATO and the European Union could make it clear that attacks in cyberspace, as in the real world, will provoke a response; the UN or signatories of the Geneva Conventions could declare that cyber-attacks on civilian facilities are, like physical attacks with bomb and bullet, out of bounds in war; rich countries could exert economic pressure on states that do not adopt measures to fight online criminals.
"Countries should be encouraged to spell out their military policies in cyberspace, as America does for nuclear weapons, missile defence and space. And there could be an international centre to monitor cyber-attacks, or an international 'duty to assist' countries under cyber-attack, regardless of the nationality or motive of the attacker- akin to the duty of ships to help mariners in distress."
www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displayStory.cfm
