Securing the digital economy of today and the future
On December 1-2, Uruguay’s Chamber of Information Technology (CUTI), Uruguay’s Chamber of Digital Economy (CEDU), the embassies of Canada, the European Union, United Kingdom, and the United States organized a webinar series on cyber and 5G security for Uruguayan private and public participants. The series – “The Future is Here: Sharing Perspectives on Cybersecurity Opportunities and Challenges” – was one of the first joint collaborations of this kind between diplomatic missions in Montevideo. A diverse group of leading experts came together to discuss key cybersecurity considerations of technological advances for the private and public sector.
During his opening remarks, Deputy Chief of Mission Doug Briller highlighted the importance of multilateral collaboration to advance shared objectives. “This event is a wonderful example of multi-sector partnership coming together to share perspectives and address challenges on cybersecurity.”, Briller said. Canadian representatives from the RHEA Group, GENETEC, and ALRM Group briefed on the development of systems to implement safe cities, cybersecurity tools to protect critical infrastructure, and the potential implications of surveillance technology for privacy and civil liberties. A professor from Finland’s University of Oulo discussed the dramatic rise in the data collected in smart/safe city approaches and the need to implement cybersecurity awareness systems to for detection and reaction to threats and attacks.
A telecommunications official from Sweden provided an overview of the EU Toolbox for 5G security, its risk assessment framework, and how EU member states were implementing the toolbox based on their unique contexts. A UK cybersecurity official briefed on the UK’s national security assessment on 5G risks and vulnerabilities, and regulatory and legislative actions the UK has taken to ensure a secure and diverse telecom infrastructure. Lastly, the United States brought a Department of Justice official and private sector expert to discuss trends in cybercrime, including a case study on malware, as well as international cooperation mechanisms such as the G7 24/7 Cybercrime Network to help investigate and prosecute these crimes. Uruguayan participants from a range of government and private sector entities attended the two-day webinar series.
In launching the event, leadership from CUTI, CEDU, and each of the sponsoring embassies emphasized the importance of increasing collaboration on cybersecurity given our shared interests in securing the digital economy of today and the future. “In Uruguay, the United States promotes mutually beneficial economic partnerships through collaboration, technology, and innovation. It is vital that governments, local policymakers, technical experts, and the private sector all work together to share best practices on cybersecurity. We believe that with emerging technologies and cyberspace, we have a major stake in ensuring that the digital revolution serves us all, that it is secure, that it boosts our competitiveness, and is based on consistent standards.”, Briller emphasized.
