7 December 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.

This week a new survey of global cyber security professionals has found that confidence has dropped to 70% from 82% in the same survey 12 months ago. The drop in confidence is believed to be due to decreasing ability to identify cyber threats globally.

Elsewhere the impact of increased investigative powers for the FBI have extended across the Atlantic as cloud storage companies storing US data abroad or UK data in the US can now be investigated.

The European Commission has this week threatened US technology firms like FacebookTwitter and Google that unless faster mechanisms for countering hate speech are introduced, the Commission will introduce legislation forcing these companies to act.

In the United States T-Mobile have expressed excitement about the incoming Trump administration as they hope for the repeal of net neutrality rules implemented by the FCC under President Obama. T-Mobile’s CFO Braxton Carter made a veiled comment towards net neutrality by stating during a Q&A that regulation stifle innovation.

President Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cyber-security has issued its final report which will be used to help guide President Trump when he assumes office in January 2017. Amongst the report’s suggestions is a call for President Trump to train 100,000 new cyber security experts to protect the USA.

This week President Obama has announced a new initiative to support computer science education amongst school children. The National Science Foundation will spend $20 million on eduction in 2017, building on the $25 million spent in 2016.

In China, major foreign companies such as Microsoft and Intel have begun to list objections to the new cybersecurity rules. The sticking point for the companies has been Beijing’s insistence that they hand over their source codes, a move that the companies argue will do little to ensure security.

The Chairman of India’s telecom’s regulator TRAI has told reporters that the body’s long anticipated guide on net neutrality is expected to be published by the 15th December.

Protection Group International and Malaysian Digital Economic Corporation have agreed this week to establish a new cybersecurity academy in Malaysia. The academy will benefit from PGI’s experience with the UK’s GCHQ.

Elsewhere in the world, India and Qatar have agreed to closer cooperation, with the signing of five new major agreements, covering everything from visas to cybersecurity. Also Russia have announced that they have successfully pre-empted an attack on their central bank.

In global institutional news, at 11th annual United Nations Internet Governance Forum delegates have tackled the issue of bridging the digital divide that has seen four billion people worldwide still unable to access the internet. 

Elsewhere ICANN have announced the newest candidates standing to become members of the the body’s Board of Directors. Finally foreign ministers from all NATO countries have met in Brussels to establish increased cooperation on security issues ranging from traditional warfare to emerging theatres such as cyber security.