(Boston, Feb. 06, 2016) – Bruce Schneier, an American cryptographer and expert on computer security and cyber-privacy issues, will speak at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Time in U.S.) on Thursday, Feb. 11, on how business — especially international companies – can best address cyber-security dangers.
His talk, “Sony and the future of cyber conflict”, followed by a Q&A, will be held at Harvard University’s Kennedy School as the second in a series of 12 online dialogues, sponsored by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and focusing on “Strategies for Combating Cyber-terrorism” leading up to the G7 Summit on May 26-27. The dialogues are part of the BGF-G7 Summit Initiative.
Watch the live-streamed talk here:
Discussants are encouraged to send questions to [email protected]. Members of the Boston Global Forum’s Special Editorial Board will gather your insights and send them to the speaker.
Mr. Bruce Schneier, Fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, and the Chief Technology Officer at Resilient Systems. Photo: David Brody.
Mr. Schneier is a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School, a program fellow at the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute and the chief technology officer of Resilient Systems.
He is the author of several books on general security topics, computer security and cryptography and a contributing writer for The Guardian.
The Boston Global Forum honored Bruce Schneier on Dec. 12, 2015 as a “’Business Leader in Cyber-Security for dedicating his career to the betterment of technology, security and privacy’’ in the Internet.’’ Watch his acceptance speech here.
(Feb. 06, 2016) – A study from Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet Society released on Monday last week refutes claims that wider use of encryption in software products will hamper investigations into terrorism and crime. Jeremy Samide, the Michael Dukakis Leadership Fellow and Lead Consultant to SteathCare Labs, shared his opinion on the report.
Read his view below.
Jeremy Samide (on the right) in a meeting with Professor Ezra Vogel during the week in Boston as a part of Michael Dukakis Leadership Fellow Program in September 2015.
Accessible, unencrypted data will be available to law enforcement and will continue to dominate the Internet, a Harvard study coming from the Berkman Center for Internet Society says. The study, which was released last week, refutes the claims made by law enforcement and many governments that the use of wider encryption in applications will hinder investigations into terrorism and crime.
With the expansion of Internet connected devices like smart TVs, home cameras, thermostats and vehicles, these devices will offer new opportunities for tracking targets. The technology industry has come under pressure as government officials in the US and UK, who say that increasing data security through encryption will diminish their capabilities to fight terrorism and crime. As end-to-end encryption continues to gain popularity within systems, it leaves users the sole possession of the decryption keys. Without a password, other means to attempt to decrypt data would need to be used by law enforcement. Back doors and special keys designed for the sole purpose to circumvent encryption only weakens our defenses globally.
There are other methods to approach this issue when looking at it from a terrorism perspective; targeting the configuration and implementation of the encryption in order to identify the key factors and gain perspective. Other means, as the study suggests, would be to focus on the non-encrypted traffic created by the hundreds of millions of newly connected devices coming online that will make up most of the Internet’s data traffic. The study is quoted as saying that “The trajectory of technological development points to a future abundant in unencrypted data.”
(Jan.31, 2016) – In an effort to placate the increasingly vocal critics of her open-door policy for refugees the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday at a regional meeting of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania that “Once there is peace in Syria again, once IS has been defeated in Iraq, that you go back to your home country with the knowledge that you have gained.”
German chancellor Angela Merkel says refugees will return to their homeland, once the war is over. Photo: Fredrik von Erichsen
The critics come after increasing reports of Crime and security, in particular, a wave of assaults on women in Cologne at New Year celebration by men of north African and Arab appearance.
Merkel also urged the European countries to offer more help to reduce the illegal refugees, according the Reuters.
See more at http://www.smh.com.au/world/germanys-angela-merkel-says-refugees-must-return-home-once-war-over-20160130-gmhu1h.html
(Jan. 31, 2016) – Japan still sticks with its scheme of providing humanitarian and monetary aids instead of sending its people to directly join the international force in the fight against terrorist or environment crisis.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated Tuesday Japan’s Self-Defense Forces would not be joining others in combat in the Middle East. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
Prime Minister Shizo Abe said on Tuesday that Japan would not plan to join the international coalition against the Islamic State, and that “”This decision will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.” Its assistance would be limited to humanitarian needs instead, according to UPI’s report.
See more at http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/01/27/Shinzo-Abe-Japan-wont-fight-Islamic-State/9761453914657/
(Feb. 01, 2016) – The U.S. Navy on Jan. 30 challenged China’s attempts to restrict international navigation in the South China Sea by sending the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur within 12 miles of Triton Island, which China claims, despite most interpretations of international law.
The guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur.(Photo: 1999 AFP photo)
The alliance would conduct joint patrols of the South China Sea to protect freedom of navigation in the international waters of the region’s very important trade routes.
The Boston Global Forum commends the United States for acting to uphold internationally recognized principles of freedom of the seas and hopes that what America is now doing unilaterally will be soon be done as part of an alliance of nations with vital interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
(Jan. 31, 2016) – Bill Gertz, a journalist and defense expert for the Washington Free Beacon, report this week on how China’s army is rapidly strengthening its cyber-warfare and intelligence operations to undermine potential foes, especially the United States. The U.S. is anxiously working on ways to counter the threat.
Photo credit: AP
A recent Chinese military reorganization is increasing the danger posed by People’s Liberation Army cyber warfare and intelligence units that recently were consolidated into a new Strategic Support Force.
See more at http://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-military-revamps-cyber-warfare-intelligence-forces/
The EU faces one of the toughest times of its history, and young people could have a pivotal role to play in improving the situation, writes Jasna Maric Krajacic in the Parliament Magazine.
The European Youth Event will take place this year at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, on May 20-21.
The event comes at an urgent time, one in which the voices of young leaders can make a difference in international attitudes and policy. During the past few years, Europe has been rocked by one crisis after another—Greece’s debt crisis, Russia’s seizure of Crimea and its incursion into eastern Ukraine and the flood of refugees from the Mideast (particularly from Syria) and Africa. Meanwhile, right-wing populism threatens the principle of relatively open borders that has been for years a widely accepted part of the European Union.
What must be avoided in turbulent times is to lose sight of what a unified Europe can achieve. Born out of the ashes of World War II, European unity has brought with it unprecedented peace and prosperity. But European unity must be extended beyond those great achievements. Europe should strive to be a model of generosity and inclusiveness — an example for other regions.
Europe’s young leaders need to champion that cause. Peace, security and democracy are under threat in many parts of the globe, and Europe’s young leaders need to raise their voices in support of those ideals, not just on their continent but elsewhere.
We’re making every effort at the Boston Global Forum to do our part. This year, with the help of our Young Leaders Network for Peace and Security program, we are promoting global cybersecurity. Last year, we focused on peace and security in the Pacific, seeking to promote a just and peaceful solution to disputes arising from China’s aggressive actions in the region. The year before, we highlighted the horrific labor conditions facing garment workers in Third World countries.
Young leaders are progressive and forward-looking. The world needs their voices, and we should widen the forums available to them. The Boston Global Forum commends the organizers of the European Youth Event for providing young leaders with such a prominent venue for addressing crucial global problems and developing solutions to them.
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Thomas E. Patterson is a co-founder and a member of the board of directors of The Boston Global Forum. He is the Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press at Harvard’s Kennedy School and has served as the Acting Director of the Kennedy’s School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy since July 1, 2015.
(Jan. 30, 2016) – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent his welcome message in the opening of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit as Japan assumes the Presidency role. Various issues concerning global peace and prosperity will be discussed, including global economy slowdown, terrorism, refugee crisis, territorial disputes.
PM Abe also expressed his hope tot discuss the situation in the Asia-Pacific region with G7 leaders.
Watch his full speech here:
Below is the full translation script of PM Abe:
A warm hello to all. I am Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan.
Japan assumed the Presidency of the G7 summit this year. On May 26 and 27, Japan will convene the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in Mie Prefecture. In Ise-Shima, the stage for the G7 Summit, you can find not only Ise Jingu Shrine with a history dating back to time immemorial, but also marvelous natural beauty including the rich sea spreading out before your eyes, islands large and small, and countless inlets. It is a perfect example of our hearland – a palce dear to many, away from the bustling cities.
In such an environment, I will make this year’s summit a fruitful one by having candid discussions with the other G7 leaders on various issues confronting the globe.
Today,the international community faces numerous challenges. A slowdown in the growth of the global economy, terrorism threatening people’s lives, a surge of refugees, and unilateral changes to the status quo through the use of coercion are all among the challenges affecting the peace and prosperity we enjoy in our daily lives.
The G7 members, which share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, must take a global perspective to provide the most appropriate road map for solving these challenges with a clear vision.
The G7 Ise-Shima Summit is the first G7 summit to be convened in Asia since the summit in Toyako eight years ago.
I hope to discuss the situation in the Asia-Pacifid region with other G7 leaders.
In addition to the G7 Summit meeting to be held in Ise-Shima, we will hold the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Hiroshima and the Finance Ministers’ meeting in Sendai, as well as the Agricultural Ministers’ meeting in Niigata, the ICT Ministers’ meeting in Takamatsu, the Energy Ministers’ meeting in Kitakyushu, the Education Ministers’ meeting in Kurashiki, the Science and Technology Ministers’ meeting in Tsukuba, the Environment Ministers’ meeting in Toyama, the Health Ministers’ meeting in Kobe, and the Transport Ministers’ meeting in Karuizawa.
Scores of journalists from around the world will converge on Japan to cover the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and these ministerial meetings. All of which will be the focus of attention around the world.
I hope to take this opportunity to send out to the world our message about Japan’s unique of appeal, including our culture and traditions, our spirit of hospitality, our world-class washoku cuisine, as well as advanced technologies and our innovation.
With your cooperation and assistance, I will world to lead the G7 Ise-Shima Summit to success.
(Jan.30, 2016) – Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Global Forum shares his view on Global Citizenship Education which he believes would become one of important element to build sustainable peace and security in the Middle East.
Dr. Carlos Alberto Torress, Chair of UNESCO-UCLA chair on Global Learning and Global Citizenship Education (GCE) discussed with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam about promoting the GCE in Vietnam.
Read Mr. Nguyen’ statement below.
The Boston Global Forum is gratified that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon supports the BGF’s Global Citizenship Education program.
In 2006, when I was Chief Executive officer and Editor-in-chief of VietNamNet, I developed the idea of encouraging Vietnamese citizens to become global citizens. I believed that such a project would help Vietnam become a developed country. So I conducted a series of articles on global citizenship for VietNamNet.
I have since come to believe that Global Citizenship Education could become one of the most important ways to build sustainable peace and security in the Middle East.
How can we make it happen? The program would
Arrange for leaders of different religions – including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus — to meet, talk and learn from each other as they discuss how to improve their fellow citizens’ lives, especially through education. The leaders should be encouraged to frequently resume their dialogues in order to continue to strengthen their mutual understanding over months and years.
Make full use of technology, including the Internet and mobile phones, to organize the social networks that would provide a platform for Global Citizenship Education in the Mideast.
Make Global Citizenship Education content very flexible and accessible. For instance, this might include developing learning games to introduce people to the program’s principle.
Identify and nurture idealistic, highly intelligent and competent young adults to become leaders of the program’s educational campaign for peace and security. These young people would include volunteer leaders from G7 countries and the Middle East. They would help people in the region learn about the universal values of human rights as endorsed by the United Nations as well as the practical emotional, organizational and technological tools for applying these values in private life, business, government, schools and elsewhere to promote peace and strengthen a sense of shared community among people of different backgrounds in the Middle East
Persuade the G7 nations to support Global Citizenship Education financially and otherwise to help develop peaceful, tolerant and prosperous civil societies, both for their intrinsic value for individual nations and to promote international peace and security.
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Nguyen Anh Tuan is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Boston Global Forum (BostonGlobalForum.org) and Chair of International Advisory Committee of UNESCO-UCLA Chair on Global Learning and Global Citizenship Education.
