U.S. Secret Service Director Ralph Basham led the event with a keynote address in which he discussed his agency's efforts to curb online criminal behavior in the international community. Other speakers and panelists agreed that the digital world has moved beyond threats from highly skilled juvenile pranksters and is now facing a new generation of organized criminals who have affected consumers' trust of the Internet and e-commerce, and potentially threaten to impede overall economic growth. The discussion highlighted that U.S. policymakers have a number of solutions within their reach to help combat online criminals through better international cooperation and more resources for law enforcement.
Additionally, BSA unveiled a CEO-led industry report, "Securing Cyberspace in the 21st Century," which lays out a roadmap for policymakers and industry to better address the challenges of global cybercrime.
"Ironically, the very same technologies that enable today's enormous productivity and economic benefits for businesses, consumers and governments, also provide modern criminals with some of the digital tools necessary to carry out illicit activities on a global, organized scale," said Robert Holleyman, President and CEO of BSA. "The good news is that industry and governments are responding through greater international cooperation and the use of innovative technologies to track down online crime or avoid it all together."
Key recommendations for U.S. and international policymakers include:
- Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime
- Ensure law enforcement has the tools, training, and resources it needs to investigate cybercrime
- Improve cross-jurisdictional cooperation in investigating cyber attacks
- Create a presidential commission on organized cybercrime and identity theft
- Step up enforcement through the creation of an interagency organized cybercrime task force.
"What we've heard today further emphasizes that much more can and should be done. We need to ensure governments can work together across borders and jurisdictions and that businesses and consumers utilize effective technologies to protect themselves," continued Holleyman.
"Just like businesses use modern technologies for greater productivity and return on investment, so do today's criminals," said Bill Conner, President, CEO and Chairman of Entrust. "What's more, they are becoming increasingly organized and sophisticated in carrying out their illegal acts. As such, policymakers and law enforcement officials should promote policies that allow innovative and affordable technologies such as encryption and second-factor authentication to be carried into the mainstream to benefit governments, organizations and individuals alike."
"As a leader in the security industry, McAfee has been a long-time advocate for the enhancement of cybersecurity initiatives. We look forward to partnering our efforts to push forth the necessary technology, public policy, education and awareness to combat cybercrime," said George Samenuk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McAfee, Inc. "The proliferation of security threats requires a unified and collaborative effort between industry and government to generate technology and policy solutions that will ultimately benefit customers around the world."
"We're eager to work with governments on policy matters, including more resources for law enforcement, ratification of the Council of Europe Cyber Crime Treaty, investment in basic research, and broad consumer education campaigns," said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO.
"As leaders in the technology industry we have a responsibility to help our government with the difficult task of securing our nation and people from the threats of cyberterrorism, and to work together to educate society on the risks and the measures that can be taken to mitigate those threats," said Albert E. Sisto, President and CEO of Phoenix Technologies Ltd. "We are proud to work with the Business Software Alliance and the important organizations involved in undertaking this task."
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