http://www.circleid.com/posts/20170407_encryption_and_securing_our_digital_economy/
Currently, there are 360 million people that take part in cross-border e-commerce. 28% of output in mature economies is digital. The Internet is set to contribute $6.6 trillion a year, or 7.1% of the total GDP in the G20 countries.
And, by 2020, it’s estimated that more than 1 billion users will be added and there will be 30-50 billion additional connected devices.
However, this cannot happen without a serious commitment by all parties to security and privacy.
Strong encryption is an essential piece to the future of the world’s economy and the Internet Society believes it should be the norm for all online transactions.
Encryption is a technical building block for securing infrastructure, communications and information. Encryption should be made stronger and universal, not weaker.
All too often the debate focuses on the use of encryption as a way to thwart law enforcement.
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Tomi Engdahl says:
Internet Society tells G20 nations: The web must be fully encrypted
Not happy about online security being equated with restricting access to law enforcement
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/04/10/internet_society_full_encryption/
The Internet Society has called for the full encryption of the internet, decrying the fact that securing the digital world has increasingly become associated with restricting access to law enforcement.
In a blog post aimed at the leaders of the G20 economies, ISOC CEO Kathryn Brown argues that the digital economy “will only continue to thrive and generate opportunities for citizens if the Internet is strong, secure, and trusted,” adding: “Without this foundation, the global digital economy is at risk.”
Engineering
Internet engineers have long been strong advocates of increased online security (something that has been difficult since the internet’s earliest building blocks largely ignored the idea of malicious activity), and the Internet Society reflects that belief back: “Strong encryption is an essential piece to the future of the world’s economy and the Internet Society believes it should be the norm for all online transactions. It allows us to do our banking, conduct local and global business, run our power grids, operate communications networks, and do almost everything else.”
Brown goes on: “Encryption is a technical building block for securing infrastructure, communications and information. It should be made stronger and universal, not weaker.”
ISOC CEO Brown is not happy about how this conversation is defining the debate around encryption. “Rather than being recognized as the way to secure our online transactions or our conversations, all too often the debate focuses on the use of encryption as a way to thwart law enforcement,” she complains, arguing: “To undermine the positive role of encryption in the name of security could have devastating consequences.”
The Internet Society is usually diplomatic to the point of saying nothing, so when its CEO says, “we should recognize that encryption is key to the future digital economy and stop treating it as simply an obstacle to law enforcement,” it is clear that the level of frustration among internet engineers is high.
ISOC clearly sees July’s G20 Summit as the best opportunity to address that concern, with Brown calling it a “turning point that should not be missed.” And its position is stated simply: “The Internet Society calls for ubiquitous encryption for the Internet. We strongly believe that this is the best foundation for trust in the digital economy, and we urge the G20 nations to stand behind encryption.”
Securing our Digital Economy
https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/public-policy/2017/04/securing-our-digital-economy
As G20 leaders from around the world gather this week, Germany wants them to agree to a concrete plan – one that includes affordable Internet access across the world by 2025, common technical standards and a focus on digital learning.
Today, the G20 economies, like so many other economies around the world, are digital and interconnected. Digital services have opened up new avenues for sustainable economic growth. But, the digital economy will only continue to thrive and generate opportunities for citizens if the Internet is strong, secure, and trusted. Without this foundation, the global digital economy is at risk.
Currently, there are 360 million people that take part in cross-border e-commerce. 28% of output in mature economies is digital. The Internet is set to contribute $6.6 trillion a year, or 7.1% of the total GDP in the G20 countries. And, by 2020, it’s estimated that more than 1 billion users will be added and there will be 30-50 billion additional connected devices. This level of interconnection will only boost the market.
However, this cannot happen without a serious commitment by all parties to security and privacy. The truth is that economies can only function within a secure and trusted environment.
Which brings us to encryption.
If the G20 countries are serious about strengthening their economies and continuing to deliver economic and social prosperity to their citizens in future, there are three key principles they should endorse and implement immediately:
1. Encryption is an important technical foundation for trust in the digital economy and should be the norm. All users (whether government, business or individual) should use encryption to protect infrastructure, communications and the privacy and integrity of their data. Encryption technologies should be strengthened, not weakened.
2. The security of the digital economy is a shared responsibility that needs the expertise and experience of all stakeholders, across border and across disciplines. It is an urgent need that will require open, inclusive collaboration.
3. Users’ rights should be at the heart of any decisions related to the digital economy. They are both the customers and the contributors to the success of the digital economy.
The Internet Society calls for ubiquitous encryption for the Internet. We strongly believe that this is the best foundation for trust in the digital economy, and we urge the G20 nations to stand behind encryption.