The seminar on cyber security organised by SACF emphasises cooperation opportunities
The seminar “How Australia and Spain face cybersecurity challenges”, which took place in Canberra on May 5 and was organised by the Spain Australia Council Foundation and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), recognised the joint effort made by the two countries, which already cooperate on a regular basis in matters of defence, infrastructure and renewable energies.
During his visit to Australia, the Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybáñez, participated in the opening session. The Secretary highlighted the factors that currently serve as a link between the two countries in terms of cybersecurity, such as the fact that both have government experts advising the UN in this regard and both are members of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE). In addition, Australia has participated in seminars on promoting confidence around cybersecurity as a Partner for Cooperation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in which Spain is a participating state.
Peter Jennings, Executive Director of ASPI, emphasised the two countries’ political will to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of cyber security during the closing session of the seminar. He also highlighted Australia’s leadership in the field in Asia-Pacific and its interest in participating in skill-building projects in Latin America promoted by Spain. This cooperation format, he added, could also be applied to projects in Africa.
Among the seminar’s conclusions, Jennings emphasised the need to promote and carry out greater efforts to consolidate a culture of cybersecurity, as well as improving human resources devoted to this issue and cooperation opportunities among CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams).
ASPI was satisfied with the seminar and is considering organising a similar event in Spain, which would also be co-sponsored by the Spain Australia Council Foundation.
A summary of the seminar by ASPI
