| Aziz Idris |
THE global landscape of cyber threats and cybercrimes is constantly growing in terms of frequency and socioeconomic impact, and Brunei together with its cross-border Asean neighbours are no exception.
Therefore cooperation to share experiences on various levels – through the use of ICT technologies in cyberspace as a “tool of peace” – both at the regional and global level would assist in combating this issue.
This call was made by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Muhamad Sazali bin Pengiran Haji Yakob, Permanent Secretary (Security and Enforcement) at the Prime Minister’s Office in his capacity as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Cyber Workshop UK and Japan with Asean at Radisson Hotel in the capital yesterday.
Co-hosted by the British High Commission and Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, the workshop gathered cyber experts from Asean member countries to discuss the application of international law in cyberspace, cyber-governance, threats and responses and developing a cybersecurity agency.
“The commitment made by the governments of UK and Japan will foster confidence and trust among policymakers and experts from multiple stakeholders in understanding issues related to cyber norms and to what constitutes responsible behaviour for states in cyberspace,” said the permanent secretary.
He admitted however that there are still challenges ahead as each county has its own laws, policies and limitations in terms of capacities related to the governance of cyberspace, especially at the strategic and operational level.
“Information sharing in matters related to threats and threat mitigations should now be the norm and not the exception as this would not just lead to a more hygienic cyberspace but would be part of confidence-building measures between countries,” he noted.
The workshop follows the cybersecurity collaboration between the UK and Japan in August last year, where the two countries signed a joint declaration on security cooperation.
The one-day workshop offered participants to share their views and gather different perspectives on cyber issues.
Speaking during the workshop, Benjamin Boddy, Acting British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam said, “The growth of the Internet and cyberspace has brought unprecedented economic and social opportunities across the world. Developments in artificial intelligence and ‘The Internet of Things’ (IoT) offer even greater opportunities which will require a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace to meet their full potential, especially as networks expand beyond national borders.”
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam, Motohiko Kato, pointed out the importance of a free, fair and secure cyberspace based on the rule of law, and said that the UK and Japan will continue to cooperate with Asean member countries to maintain and reinforce this ideal globally, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region.
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