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by Tim Hinchliffe
July 09,
2021
from
Sociable Website
World Economic Forum founder
Klaus Schwab opens Cyber Polygon
2021 with a warning:
"A lack of
cybersecurity has become a clear and immediate danger to our
society worldwide."
Giving the welcoming
remarks at Cyber Polygon for the second year in a row, Schwab
spoke at length about the World Economic Forum's (WEF) desire
to tackle cybersecurity by bringing together a closer merger of
corporations, small businesses, and governments.
Last year, Schwab warned,
"We all know, but
still pay insufficient attention to, the frightening scenario of
a comprehensive cyber attack, which would bring a complete halt
to the power supply, transportation, hospital services, our
society as a whole."
"We have seen in the past few months, for example, ransomware
attacks targeting hospitals, critical infrastructure, school
systems, the power grid, and many other essential services".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
This year, Schwab
followed-up on his "frightening scenario" by highlighting the recent
ransomware attacks that have struck critical infrastructures around
the world in 2021.
"The implication is
clear:
a lack of
cybersecurity has become a clear and immediate danger to our
society worldwide," Schwab said today.
"We have seen in the
past few months, for example, ransomware attacks targeting
hospitals, critical infrastructure, school systems, the power
grid, and many other essential services.
"Citizens are impacted by energy shortages, delayed medical
treatment, and other effects this new breed of audacious
cyberattacks causes".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"Citizens are feeling the repercussions of cyberattacks
directly.
"Citizens are impacted by energy shortages, delayed medical
treatment, and other effects this new breed of audacious
cyberattacks causes.
"This is not a problem that is easily solved.
"Ransomware attacks are complex, and criminal enterprises are
increasing their scale and impact.
"This highlights the need for a structured multi-stakeholder,
multi-lateral approach to secure our society against them," he
added.
"The implication is clear: a lack of cybersecurity has become a
clear and immediate danger to our society worldwide".
Klaus Schwab, Cyber
Polygon 2021
"The EU-proposed Digital Law […] aims to provide a safe way for
citizens to access and link public and private services online"
Klaus Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
Schwab praised the speed
of digital innovation that occurred during
the COVID 'crisis', highlighting a
digital law proposed by the European Union that goes hand-in-hand
with the WEF's
Great Reset agenda -
digital identity schemes - that
keep a record of all your online activity and can provide or
restrict citizen access to essential goods and services.
"There is, for
example," said Schwab, "the EU-proposed Digital Law that aims to
provide a safe way for citizens to access and link public and
private services online.
"If new services are to be adopted at the speed necessary for
long-term sustained economic recovery, citizens must be able to
trust that the technologies are secure, and that their assets
and personal information and data are protected.
"The principle of trust will be absolutely necessary."
"We need to build IT infrastructures that have digital
antibodies built-in inherently to protect themselves"
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
Image Source:
World Economic Forum
As the World Economic
Forum and partners continue
prepping for cyber pandemic, this
year Schwab elaborated on the "pandemic" theme as it related to cybersecurity, saying that IT infrastructures must be built with
"digital antibodies" to give themselves immunity from viruses.
"We have to protect
ourselves not only against the virus, we also have to develop
the ability to withstand a virus attack," he said.
"In other words,
masks are not sufficient. We
need
vaccines to immunize ourselves.
"The same is true for cyberattacks. Here, too, we have to move
from simple protection to immunization.
"We need to build IT infrastructures that have digital
antibodies built-in inherently to protect themselves," Schwab
added.
The goal of this year's
Cyber Polygon exercise is to,
"secure digital
ecosystems."
Securing digital
ecosystems can only be done, according to Schwab, through
public-private 'cooperation'.
"Governments are in
charge of guaranteeing security, but the deep expertise that is
needed to develop a secure cyber ecosystem often lies with the
private sector".
Klaus Schwab, Cyber
Polygon 2021
"We have come together today to discuss how we can develop
secure digital ecosystems and protect companies, but also
societies, from cyberattacks," the World Economic Forum founder
said.
"We must do so with a broader mission in mind - to improve the
state of our digital world by enhancing, on the one hand, global
cooperation, but also public-private cooperation."
What does Schwab mean by
'public-private cooperation'...?
"We must all work
together," he explained, adding, "Governments are in charge of
guaranteeing security, but the deep expertise that is needed to
develop a secure cyber ecosystem often lies with the private
sector.
"Similarly, just as governments are often pooling their
resources with each other with international organizations, such
as INTERPOL, to fight cybercrime, we need more similar
collaboration between governments - and I should add private
businesses - to fight cybercrime."
"Good cybersecurity enables business continuity at a time when a
single point of failure in only one organization can become a
systemic calamity with repercussions for the whole of society".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
For Schwab and the WEF,
every organization must have cybersecurity as a principle foundation
as they create new and expanded digital ecosystems.
"Good cybersecurity
enables business continuity at a time when a single point of
failure in only one organization can become a systemic calamity
with repercussions for the whole of society," he said.
"As our digital landscape expands, along with our dependence on
it, we need to continuously reconsider and refine our
expectations of cybersecurity."
"To help the economy - to bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis -
governments, enterprises, and also small business will continue
to need innovative ways to build and give access to services".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
Schwab added,
"Going forward, it
must be now one of the first thoughts and priorities that any
organization has.
"It is one of the foundations of business sustainability and
continuity in the future, and it is becoming an important part
of every organization's brand and reputation.
"In this era, and in the future, cybersecurity will be the
foundation for trustworthy technologies and businesses.
"To help the economy - to bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis -
governments, enterprises, and also small business will continue
to need innovative ways to build and give access to services."
"Technology has been central to the way we have collectively
managed the COVID-19 pandemic and the global crisis".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
For better context on the
above quotes, here is a transcript of Schwab's opening remarks
(watch video
far below) from
Cyber Polygon 2021, starting where he begins to talk
about the theme of the event.
"Allow me now to
reflect on today's theme, which is to develop secure digital
ecosystems.
"It is remarkable how quickly this goal has become so important
around the world.
"Three years ago, we initiated our Center for Cybersecurity
here at the World Economic Forum.
"We recognized, already then, the crucial importance of
cybersecurity as a global issue and as a corporate challenge.
"We did not expect; however, that digital connectivity and
cybersecurity would come to support and influence every aspect
of our business and social lives as it has done particularly in
the past year.
"It is not an overstatement to say that it has enabled us to
continue to function during a time of unprecedented crisis".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"Digital connections are embedded in our homes, our workplaces,
and through operation technology - our critical infrastructure.
"This connectivity has allowed us to realize incredible
efficiency, even in a world where we worked remotely.
"It is not an overstatement to say that it has enabled us to
continue to function during a time of unprecedented crisis.
"Technology has been central to the way we have collectively
managed the COVID-19 pandemic and the global crisis.
"Digital infrastructure made it possible to deliver essential
services. It helped business to run, and it helped us to
maintain contact with each other.
"Digitalization has helped to serve some of the major hurdles
put in place by the pandemic, but it has also opened us up to
new challenges.
"One of the most important amongst them is how to ensure digital
technologies and communications are safe, secure, and
trustworthy.
"Many technology leaders have noted that within a few short
months, we have achieved advances in digital transformation that
might otherwise have taken years.
"Cyber incidents can undermine the trust in key online services,
and they could derail adoption of socially-valuable innovations"
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"But this digital dividend of the COVID pandemic is fragile.
"Cyber incidents can undermine the trust in key online services,
and they could derail adoption of socially-valuable innovations.
"The World Economic Forum's 'Global Risks Report' includes
cybersecurity failure and IT infrastructure breakdowns in its
top 10 risks - both by likelihood and by impact.
"The implication is clear:
a lack of
cybersecurity has become a clear and immediate danger to our
society worldwide.
"Citizens are
impacted by energy shortages, delayed medical treatment, and
other effects this new breed of audacious cyberattacks causes".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"We have seen in the past few months, for example, ransomware
attacks targeting hospitals, critical infrastructure, school
systems, the power grid, and many other essential services.
"Citizens are feeling the repercussions of cyberattacks
directly.
"Citizens are impacted by energy shortages, delayed medical
treatment, and other effects this new breed of audacious
cyberattacks causes.
"This is not a problem that is easily solved.
"Ransomware attacks are complex, and criminal enterprises are
increasing their scale and impact.
"This highlights the need for a structured multi-stakeholder,
multi-lateral approach to secure our society against them.
"We must all work together. Governments are in charge of
guaranteeing security, but the deep expertise that is needed to
develop a secure cyber ecosystem often lies with the private
sector.
"Similarly, just as governments are often pooling their
resources with each other with international organizations, such
as INTERPOL, to fight cybercrime, we need more similar
collaboration between governments - and I should add private
businesses - to fight cybercrime.
"During the pandemic, the paradigm shift to a digital way of
life has made the role of cybersecurity as a global public good
even more pronounced".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"The good news is that such public-private collaboration efforts
already exist as we demonstrate today.
"Recognizing the need to mobilize a global response to the
growing cyber threats, the World Economic Forum launched the
Center for Cybersecurity, as I mentioned, in 2018.
"Our Center provides an independent and impartial platform to
foster collaboration between all members of the global
cybersecurity community - both in the public and in the private
sectors.
"Sberbank, together with other companies from around the world,
is a founding member and actively involved in our initiatives
aimed at addressing systemic cybersecurity challenges, and
finally, to restore and to improve digital trust.
"During the pandemic, the paradigm shift to a digital way of
life has made the role of cybersecurity as a global public good
even more pronounced.
"In this era, and in the future, cybersecurity will be the
foundation for trustworthy technologies and businesses".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"Good cybersecurity enables business continuity at a time when a
single point of failure in only one organization can become a
systemic calamity with repercussions for the whole of society.
"As our digital landscape expands, along with our dependence on
it, we need to continuously reconsider and refine our
expectations of cybersecurity.
"Going forward, it must be now one of the first thoughts and
priorities that any organization has.
"It is one of the foundations of business sustainability and
continuity in the future, and it is becoming an important part
of every organization's brand and reputation.
"To help the economy - to bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis -
governments, enterprises, and also small business will continue
to need innovative ways to build and give access to services".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"In this era, and in the future, cybersecurity will be the
foundation for trustworthy technologies and businesses.
"To help the economy - to bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis -
governments, enterprises, and also small business will continue
to need innovative ways to build and give access to services.
"In many cases, this means further connecting services and data
- creating completely new digital and expanded digital
ecosystems.
"The principle of trust will be absolutely necessary".
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"This demands an understanding of cyber risks these new systems
will face, and proactive efforts to build those systems with
security-by-design principles in mind.
"In the early stages of the pandemic, we saw the adoption of
large-scale working-from-home arrangements, cloud services, and
video conferencing.
"This seemed transformational at the time, only a few short
moments ago, but today we are witnessing the proliferation of
even more ambitious initiatives.
"There is, for example, the EU-proposed Digital Law that aims to
provide a safe way for citizens to access and link public and
private services online.
"If new services are to be adopted at the speed necessary for
long-term sustained economic recovery, citizens must be able to
trust that the technologies are secure, and that their assets
and personal information and data are protected.
"The principle of trust will be absolutely necessary.
"We have to protect ourselves not only against the virus, we
also have to develop the ability to withstand a virus attack"
Klaus
Schwab, Cyber Polygon 2021
"Finally, one of the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic is also
the notion of resilience.
"We have to protect ourselves not only against the virus, we
also have to develop the ability to withstand a virus attack.
"In other words, masks are not sufficient. We need vaccines to
immunize ourselves.
"The same is true for cyberattacks. Here, too, we have to move
from simple protection to immunization.
"We need to build IT infrastructures that have digital
antibodies built-in inherently to protect themselves.
"In conclusion, I would like to state again how essential it is
to see the high number of leaders join the Cyber Polygon this
year.
"During the course of today, we will test how to work together
across organizations, across borders, and across the public and
private sector.
"This is a significant step in preparing for an even more
highly-connected - and I hope - a highly secure and trusted
future."
Video
NEW Cyber Polygon
2021 - Klaus Schwab Full Opening Remarks
-
World Economic
Forum - The Great Reset -
Following up on last
year's cyber pandemic simulation, this year's Cyber Polygon is
holding live training exercises responding to,
"a targeted supply
chain attack on a corporate ecosystem in real time."
Running parallel to the
training exercise are discussions on how to tackle everything from
ransomware and supply chain attacks to implementing "resilient"
digital currencies, and a desire for global governance
on the internet...
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