White House Cybersecurity Coordinator
Howard A. Schmidt

International security policymakers must do more to keep up with the rapid technological advances, said an international panel of cybersecurity experts at an EastWest Institute cybersecurity dinner in Dallas. The benefits of connectivity come with dangers, experts suggested, and there is an urgent need to build awareness and forge international consensus to deal with these uniquely international vulnerabilities.

"The basic situation is that we have a rapid change in technology," said Udo Helmbrecht, Executive Director of the European Network and Information Security Agency. "But the mindset of citizens is not going at the same speed."

"As more people become aware, they recognize the vulnerabilities that exist," added White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard A. Schmidt. At the same time, panelists emphasized the need for greater international policy coordination and argued for a more thorough understanding of the need for security in cyberspace.

"Technology is definitely outpacing the creation of laws and policy," said Kamlesh Bajaj, Chief Executive Officer of the Data Security Council of India. "This issue requires international cooperation. It's not merely a technology problem"

"We have to look at this not only from the technology perspective but also the economic perspective," said Schmidt, calling for sophisticated policies that provide security without stifling speech and innovation online. "The ability to communicate is the greatest gift we have. It's important to preserve those things on the Internet." "It is very important that we have a common approach," added Helmbrecht.

The dinner opened the EastWest Institute's first Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit, a gathering of business, government and civil society leaders from around the world to determine the steps necessary to achieve security in cyberspace.