by PIBrussels | Jan 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
Several groups of young Belgians (scouts, schools, centres for unaccompanied minors…) have developed various awareness raising tools (videos and photo-novellas) explaining and sensitizing other youngsters some of the most debated online security topics: right of publicity, securing passwords, respect of privacy, sexting, grooming and online harassment.
With the help of ECPAT Belgium, the tools are the outcome of two fruitful years of cooperation in the Make-IT-Safe campaign. In cooperation with 4 other ECPAT organisations, it wants to sensitize young people towards a safe and responsible use of the Internet (especially on social media) and make them capable of defending themselves against online risks.
Today, the internet is a major tool to communicate and to be informed. Therefore, ISPA underlines the importance that must be given to e-skills and awareness of youngsters in order to develop their digital skills and surf in a secured way. ISPA has been a partner of the Make-IT-Safe campaign and will also support the yearly Safer Internet Day. The latter will take place on 10 February, promoting safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people. Main theme this year is “Let’s create a better internet together”.
The tools of the Make-IT-Safe Campaign are available for all organisations wishing to use them among other youth groups. Two training manuals – constructed by ECPAT Austria and ECPAT Netherlands – are also disclosed, one for youngsters and one for coaches. All tools and manuals can be found via this link: http://ecpat.be/en/tag/make-it-safe-en/
by PIBrussels | Jan 19, 2015 | Uncategorized
ISPA is proud to partner with B-CCENTRE for the organization of the International Cyber Security Strategy (ICSS) Congress, organised by the B-CCENTRE and iMinds – KU Leuven. The Congress will be held on 4-5 February 2015 in Leuven. On 3 February, a pre-conference day will present the work B-CCENTRE has accomplished over the last 4 years.
ICSS2015 brings together a unique gathering of cybercrime experts all over the world, who will discuss the challenges, visions and strategies in the areas of information and network security, cyber risk management as well as cyber forensics. Part of the Congress will follow a two-track approach:
- Track 1: National and international governmental strategies, company and organisational strategies on cyber security readiness, as well as cyber forensic readiness (addressing industry, academic and policy participants)
- Track 2: Tools for digital forensics, online investigations and cyber intelligence (addressing experts dealing with combatting cybercrime)
The full programme (including speakers such as Bruce Schneier, Troels Oerting (EC3), Michèle Coninsx (Eurojust), Ronald Prins (FOX-IT) and Rik Ferguson (Trend Micro)) is already released and can be found here.
Registration for the event is up and running and can be done via this link: https://www.icss2015.eu/registration.
by PIBrussels | Dec 19, 2014 | Uncategorized
Since September 2014, ISPA has been a privileged partner of the BIPT in assessing approaches and solutions regarding the issue of the organized power cut-offs, that are expected this winter and in the coming years. During several meetings with the BIPT, ISPA, together with ISPs, operators, the Crisis Center, FOD/SPF Economy and other sector stakeholders, discussed the possible consequences of a black-out for the internet sector and worked towards solutions to minimize the impact for consumers and businesses.
In the last few weeks, several instances produced the output of this exercise. FOD/SPF Economy, for example, started its ‘OFF-ON’ campaign as a way to sensitize the public and give tips on how to rationalise energy use during fragile periods. BIPT themselves released an FAQ for businesses and consumers, giving an overview and answers to some of the most pressing questions, based on the discussions held in the previous months.
Access to internet and telephone, for example, is not always guaranteed even if you are in a zone that would not be cut-off. Cable connections sometimes originate in cut-off zones, which then no longer operate when cut-off at the source. ISPs and operators also stressed that consumers are advised to disconnect modems, routers and other end-equipment before the black-outs, to minimize potential damage done by cutting the power abruptly. Businesses, furthermore, are recommended to get in touch with their operator, to test their infrastructure beforehand.
In the upcoming weeks, ISPA will remain on top of the issue and present on further meetings with BIPT. These would discuss the evaluation of this joint exercise in the light of possible black-outs in the winters to come.
by PIBrussels | Oct 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
On 27 November, Belnet is organizing the third edition of the Belgian Internet Security Conference (BISC), together with several partners including ISPA. IT decision makers and everyone interested in strategies for a better cybersecurity will join to discuss the general cybersecurity vision in Belgium, the latest initiatives and trends.
Cyber criminality is a hot topic nowadays and requires a coordinated approach between several layers of society. The BISC is the perfect opportunity to take things forward in an integrated and coherent way, and to exchange ideas about cyber security with experts and policy makers of different sectors.
More information on this event and the link to the registration form and programme can be found here.
by PIBrussels | Oct 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
On Friday 17th of October, ISPA took part in a roundtable organised by Child Focus in presence of her Majesty the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Digital Agenda Minister to discuss the fight against Child Sexual Abuse Material on the Internet in Belgium.
ISPA, as active partner of Child Focus, reiterated its commitment to ensure a secure internet for everyone and specifically for children. In order to protect youth online as well as offline, Prime Minister Charles Michel said Belgium should urgently transpose the European Directive on child sexual exploitation of 2011. “Belgium needs to reinforce the fight against cybercrime and therefore the fight against child sexual abuse is also part of the government agreement”, the Prime Minister added.
ISPA Chairman Henri-Jean Pollet, also stressed that cooperation between ISPs, hotline, police and judicial authorities should fit in a clear legal framework enabling effective notice and takedown measures. Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Digital Agenda Alexander De Croo declared after the meeting that he would further study possibilities for establishing a clear legal framework for cooperation between all parties.
Pictures: Photo News / BELGA / Child Focus
by PIBrussels | Oct 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
The new Belgian government has made several internet related proposals in the government agreement. Cyber security, for instance, will be a priority for the new Belgian coalition. One of the concrete action points in this area is the operationalization of the Belgian Center for Cybersecurity Belgium, which will develop the cyber security strategy for Belgium and have a coordinating, advising and initiating role. There are, moreover, plans to outline a specific criminal policy concerning cyber criminality, and a lot of effort is expected to go into raising awareness, both of citizens and firms.
The government agreement also states that connectivity is one of the key factors determining the attractiveness of our economy, which necessitates a stable framework for investments in infrastructure and new tech, to stimulate the “next generation networks” in their development. The government will see to a stable legislative framework and attention will also be paid to the creation of a “level playing field” between national and international service providers. The BIPT, the national regulatory authority, will be strengthened in its independence and is to make sure that competition can play to the advantage of consumers. There will, moreover, be an investigation into mobile 3G, 4G and LTE, and how these can be deployed as quickly as possible, while public-private partnerships will be used to counter the digital gap and provision of internet access in rural areas. The new government also emphasized the safeguarding of net neutrality, in accordance with EU regulation, without stifling innovation.
Finally, an important issue for ISPA is the planned reduction of the cost reimbursement to ISPs for their cooperation with law enforcement authorities. In this context ISPA refers to the cost model of 29 October 2013, established by the BIPT, on the objective determination of the cost of an efficient electronic communication operator in the framework of the implementation of legal interception.
