Microsoft has urged the entire tech industry to support the Digital Geneva Convention to be held to protect cyber attack victims. The objective of the convention will be to set standards for protecting civilians from cyber attacks by nation states.
In 1949, the governments all over the world came together to adopt the Fourth Geneva Convention to protect innocent lives from the World War. On a similar note, Microsoft wants to hold Digital Geneva Convention in order to make governments commit for the implementation of norms that have been developed to protect civilians from cyber war.
Speaking at the RSA Conference on Tuesday, Brad Smith- the Microsoft President said that tech companies should play an active role in ending the menace created by cyber warfare.
“As they are made as the first targets, they should also become the first responders as well”, said Smith.
He added that Microsoft has made the first move on this note by partnering with other companies on Cyber Security and has developed systems to combat spam and phishing sites. Now, it’s working on implementing reporting standards for abuse.
Brad Smith has urged all companies like Amazon to support its proposal for Digital Geneva Convention. The convention is said to have tech experts from governments, the private sector and civil society who could help identify cyber crimes launched by state-sponsored actors.
For instance, the UN Security Council can conduct international criminal tribunals and the convention can serve as a watchdog on these tribunals.
As cyber security concerns are raising among nations, the need for internationally recognized and authoritative watchdogs to supervise cyber crimes becomes highly essential.
For instance, it has been already proved that Russia was the nation which influenced US Elections 2016 to favor Donald Trump. But despite having enough evidence, the United States law enforcement authorities, as well as the populace, are in a helpless position to raise their voice against the federal nation.
If something like a “Digital Geneva Convention” comes into place, then it can act as governing authority on such activities and can help mitigate the risks of such attacks to a large extent- provided it receives support from other nations and businesses operating all around the world.
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