[kictanet] [Chapter-delegates] STATEMENT: Internet Society Responds to Reports of the U.S. Government’s Circumvention of Encryption Technology

[Barrack Otieno]

Sorry, didnt see Ali's post.

Best Regards


On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 4:09 PM, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack at gmail.com>wrote:

> Listers,
>
> FYI
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Wende Cover <cover at isoc.org>
> Date: Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 10:58 PM
> Subject: [Chapter-delegates] STATEMENT: Internet Society Responds to
> Reports of the U.S. Government’s Circumvention of Encryption Technology
> To: "chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org" <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
> >
>
>
>  Internet Society Responds to Reports of the U.S. Government’s
> Circumvention of Encryption Technology****
>
> ** **
>
> The Internet Society is alarmed by continuing reports alleging systematic
> United States government efforts to circumvent Internet security
> mechanisms.  The Internet Society President and CEO, Lynn St. Amour, said,
> “If true, these reports describe government programmes that undermine the
> technical foundations of the Internet and are a fundamental threat to the
> Internet’s economic, innovative, and social potential. Any systematic,
> state-level attack on Internet security and privacy is a rejection of the
> global, collaborative fabric that has enabled the Internet's growth to
> extend beyond the interests of any one country.” ****
>
> ** **
>
> The Internet Society believes that global interoperability and openness of
> the Internet are pre-requisites for confidence in online interaction, they
> unlock the Internet as a forum for economic and social progress, and they
> are founded on basic assumptions of trust. We are deeply concerned that
> these principles are being eroded and that users' legitimate expectations
> of online security are being treated with contempt.****
>
> ** **
>
> As the institutional home of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF),
> we believe that open and transparent processes are essential for security
> standardization, and result in better outcomes than any alternative
> approach.  For example, protocols developed by the IETF are open for all to
> see, inspect, and verify, as are the open and inclusive processes by which
> they are specified.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> IETF Chairman Jari Arkko has strongly reiterated the IETF’s commitment to
> improving security in the Internet, and to seeking ways of improving
> security protocols in light of these new revelations and security threats.
> “The IETF has a long-standing commitment to openness and transparency in
> developing security protocols for the Internet, and sees this as critical
> to confidence in their use and implementation.”  To read more, visit:
> http://www.ietf.org/blog/2013/09/security-and-pervasive-monitoring/.****
>
> ** **
>
> However, the open development of robust technical specifications is just
> one link in the chain. Security standards must be properly implemented and
> used. This is a wake-up call for technology developers and adopters alike,
> to reexamine what we can do to ensure that all links in the chain are
> equally strong. This is key to helping restore public trust and confidence
> in the Internet. ****
>
> ** **
>
> The Internet has tremendous potential for economic and social good, but
> unless all stakeholders trust the Internet as a safe place for business,
> social interaction, academic enquiry, and self-expression, those economic
> and social benefits are put at risk. To fulfill its potential, the Internet
> must be underpinned by the right combination of technology, operational
> processes, legislation, policy, and governance. The recent reports suggest
> that U.S. Government programmes have systematically undermined some or all
> of those measures, and that is why we view the revelations with such grave
> concern.****
>
> ** **
>
> With this mind, we issue these calls to action for the global community:**
> **
>
> ** **
>
> • To every citizen of the Internet: let your government representatives
> know that, even in matters of national security, you expect privacy, rule
> of law, and due process in any handling of your data. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Security is a collective responsibility that involves multiple
> stakeholders.  In this regard, we call on:****
>
> ** **
>
> •Those involved in technology research and development: use the openness
> of standards processes like the IETF to challenge assumptions about
> security specifications. ****
>
> ** **
>
> •Those who implement the technology and standards for Internet security:
> uphold that responsibility in your work, and be mindful of the damage
> caused by loss of trust.****
>
> ** **
>
> •Those who develop products and services that depend on a trusted
> Internet: secure your own services, and be intolerant of insecurity in the
> infrastructure on which you depend.****
>
> ** **
>
> •To every Internet user: ensure you are well informed about good practice
> in online security, and act on that information. Take responsibility for
> your own security.****
>
> ** **
>
> At the Internet Society, we remain committed to advancing work in areas
> such as browser security, privacy settings, and digital footprint awareness
> in order to help users understand and manage their privacy and security.
> The citizens of the Internet deserve a global and open platform for
> communication built on solid foundations of security and privacy.****
>
> _______________________________________________
> As an Internet Society Chapter Officer you are automatically subscribed
> to this list, which is regularly synchronized with the Internet Society
> Chapter Portal (AMS): https://portal.isoc.org
>
>
>
> --
> Barrack O. Otieno
> +254721325277
> +254-20-2498789
> Skype: barrack.otieno
> http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
>



-- 
Barrack O. Otieno
+254721325277
+254-20-2498789
Skype: barrack.otieno
http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/attachments/20130910/af149343/attachment.htm>