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

[Veni Markovski]

Thank you, good stuff from ISOC's staff!

Will post in adequate groups around our chapter!

Thanks again!


On 09/09/2013 15:58, Wende Cover wrote:
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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-- 

Best,
Veni Markovski
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The opinions expressed above are those of the
author, not of any organizations, associated
with or related to him in any given way.

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