3 August 2016

The following is summary of the most recent IEEE Global Internet Governance Monitor report. To access the full reports containing additional details and other news items, please join the Internet Technology Policy Community on IEEE Collabratec.

In Europe this week net neutrality has taken centre stage on digital issues this week after a leak from the EU Commission signaled that the body will look to make broadband internet access a right fro EU citizens. This will likely lead to a greater focus on the EUs net neutrality policies in order to ensure this right becomes a reality.

A major official announcement from the EU Commission also made headlines this week after Sir Julian King, the UKs Commission nominee was awarded the EUs security portfolio. As the UK looks to end its membership of the European Union, Sir Kings control of EU cyber-security policy could have a significant impact on both the UKs and EUs digital industries.

This week saw the publication of a cyber skill survey by Intel Security and CSIS, which found that concern for a digital skills crisis is widespread across the global industry. The greatest concern for digital skills education standards was found in the UK, whilst Australia recorded the greatest proportion of respondents fearful of a digital skills shortage.

In the United States this week, national telecoms and Internet service providers continued their campaign against federal net neutrality laws. Trade associations representing these two groups have urged the US Court of Appeals in Washington DC to overturn a previous ruling made back in June by a three judge panel that upheld the FCCs net neutrality rules.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy, a body attached to the White House, has stated that cyber competitions may be the solution in solving the USs digital skills shortage. The groups plan is to create a program of Cyber competitions that can maintain interest in the sector through the school years and into University education.

The first stage of introduction for the EU-US Privacy Shield kicked off this week with the announcement from the Department of Commerce that American companies could officially register for the scheme. The Department will now access if these companies meet the Privacy Shields data protection standards before they are allowed to operate under the Shield.

In Asia this week, Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the USA to formalise their joint commitment on cybersecurity. The agreement will see both sides share information on best practices, as well as pertinent information.

In South Korea the Government have blamed North Korea for a data breach that is believed to have compromised the data of over 10 million South Koreans. The attack is believed to have occurred in May, but has only recently been recognised in the South Korean press.

The United Arab Emirate have this week banned the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by royal edict. The move is designed to bolster the federations growth as a cyber security actor in the Middle East. Failure to comply with the edict carries a fine of £412,240.

Two interesting stories from global institutions this week, involving ICANN and Digital Europe. ICANN has issued a call for contributions for a new study into the abuse of the domain name system. The deadline for submissions is the 12th August 2016. Elsewhere Digital Europe have been selected as a member of the European Commission Stakeholder group into EU Consumer and Marketing Law.