On 29 June 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand co-hosted an ASEAN Workshop on “Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity Cooperation in the ASEAN Region: Towards an Integrated Approach in Addressing Transnational Crimes”, held during the “Thailand Cybersecurity Week 2017” at the Ninth Tower, Rama IX Road, Bangkok. The Workshop was attended by representatives from ASEAN Member States, with resource persons and guest speakers from outside ASEAN (Australia, the European Union and New Zealand), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Microsoft, Thai Bankers’ Association and VISA. 

 

The meeting noted that the advancement of technology information and communication has transformed digital and cyber landscapes, where cybersecurity threats have multiplied in scope, magnitude, and forms. Cyber threats have become a global concern. It is therefore important that ASEAN Member States foster cooperation at a regional level, as well as enhance partnership with other regional and international organizations with a view to exchange good practices, build law enforcement capacity on cybersecurity and responses to cybercrimes. 

 

The meeting underscored the significant role of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) among all stakeholders, ranging from government agencies, private sectors, regional and international organizations, to media. The CBMs would help build trust amongst all concerned parties and lead to the holding of regular consultation or dialogue, information sharing, setting up of point of contact, and cooperation on the prevention and response to cyber attacks. Participants also highlighted the need to raise public awareness of cyber threats and cyber crimes, to build capacity for all concerned agencies in combatting cyber crimes, and to enhance cooperation on legal aspects related to cybercrime legislation and legal offence amongst ASEAN Member States. 

 

To effectively address cybercrimes, it requires holistic, transparent, and timely approaches that transcend policy into operationalization, with safeguards for the economy and society. 

 

The meeting noted suggestions to set up a regional cyber mechanism which could be an ASEAN cybersecurity center, an ASEAN Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, or an independent body. Such a mechanism could serve as a platform for policy or technical consultaiton, undertaking data analysis and research on cybersecurity, proposing solutions to cyber threats, raising public awareness on cyber threats and cyber crimes, information sharing, and providing training for relevant agencies. Such a mechanism could comprise of representatives from government agencies, private sectors, international organizations, and academia. If such a mechanism is set up, it would enhance synergies on cybersecurity and efforts to combat cyber crimes under ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms.