Digital Security and Trust
Digital security is the umbrella term used to describe how we safeguard our online data, identity, and assets. It entails the use of resources such as web services, antivirus software, and smartphones with SIM cards and biometrics to secure our information.
The OECD has been working on digital security since the 1990s, and has produced policy analysis and recommendations to support the international dialogue on digital security and trust. Our work aims to strengthen trust without hindering the opportunities that ICTs offer for innovation, competitiveness and growth.
Business-level cyber attacks can have a serious impact on your reputation and bottom line. Regulatory bodies and compliance standards are helping to reduce the damage of breaches, but businesses must be proactive in their cybersecurity practices.
Hackers are becoming smarter and more resilient to traditional cyber defenses, which is why it’s critical for business leaders to protect their systems from cyber threats. By providing consistent and up-to-date training to their people, and by securing their hardware and software, they can prevent data breaches and other security incidents.
Personal and family devices should be protected to prevent unauthorized access to data, including by setting passwords that are difficult for hackers to guess and using two-factor authentication on all devices. Be wary of emails and websites that look suspicious, and use the latest version of any software you install.
Digital safety and protection are also important for journalists, especially as we continue to move toward a more open and collaborative journalism model that includes collaborating with sources. Several media-related NGOs have published digital safety guides for journalists, including UNESCO’s Building Digital Safety for Journalists and Reporters Without Borders’ Online Survival Kit.