Israel has called for discussions at the OECD on how countries can deepen international cooperation between agencies responsible for implementing and promoting digital security policies.
From 7-9 June 2021, the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) hosted the third annual event of the OECD Global Forum on Digital Security for Prosperity (“OECD Global Forum”). Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted governments, businesses and individuals’ growing digital dependency and the related cybersecurity risk. During the concluding session, heads of cybersecurity agencies from OECD countries as well as Singapore, India and United Arab Emirates expressed their readiness to boost international cooperation between them. On the basis of their shared values and common understandings, they have called upon the OECD, through its Working Party on Security in the Digital Economy, to further explore ways to facilitate international cooperation, especially between agencies responsible for implementing and promoting digital security policies.
"Our governments share values and have developed policies to promote cyber resilience,” said INCD Director-General Yigal Unna.
“It is our responsibility to implement these policies. We have taken a variety of measures, such as identifying critical activities, raising awareness, developing skills, promoting innovation, stimulating information sharing among stakeholders and providing advanced technical assistance. These form an excellent baseline, but more is needed. In a global and interconnected economy, our ability to become more secure also depends directly on our ability to work together across the globe. By leveraging the convening power of the OECD, we will strengthen partnerships for collaboration and share our progress at the next meeting of the OECD Global Forum on Digital Security for Prosperity hosted by Japan in 2022 " said Unna.
The third annual event of the OECD Global Forum focused on “Local Challenges, Global Solutions – Building Cyber Resilience Together in a Post-COVID-19 World”. Over 400 participants from 58 countries met virtually to discuss cutting-edge issues such as the security of the Internet of Things, responsible digital transformation, digital security in the supply chain as well as the role of cyber insurance.
Background
The Israel National Cyber Directorate is the national security and technological agency responsible for defending Israel’s national cyberspace and for establishing and advancing Israel’s cyber power. It was set up as a core element of the Israeli cybersecurity strategy.
The Directorate operates at the national level to constantly strengthen the level of defense of organizations and citizens, to prevent and handle cyberattacks, as well as to strengthen emergency response capabilities.
As part of its roles, the Directorate advances innovative cyber solutions and forward-looking technological solutions, formulates strategies and policies in the national and international arenas and develops its cyber manpower. The Directorate strives to maintain a protected, safe and open cyberspace for all of Israel’s citizens and to facilitate the State of Israel’s growth and power base.
Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to preserve individual liberty and improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
The OECD Global Forum on Digital Security for Prosperity is an international, multi-stakeholder and multidisciplinary setting for all communities of experts to meet and dialogue on matters related to digital security from the economic and social perspective. Outputs from these discussions influence international public policy discussions and can lead to analytical work, principles and international policy recommendations, at the OECD and in other international fora.
The first Global Forum event took place in 2018 in Paris, France. The second event took place in 2019 in London, United Kingdom. The next event in 2022 will be hosted by Japan.