Working together for more security in the digital world

Experience shows that it's not easy to agree on issues on an international level. So it's all the more remarkable when a world-renowned think tank and 15 global companies representing a total of 1.8 million employees and revenue of more than €800 billion agree on common principles.

That is exactly what has been accomplished with the Charter of Trust Initiative launched in February of this year. The Charter calls for binding rules for cybersecurity. And now, four more companies joined the initiative by signing the Charter in Washington D.C.: Cisco, Dell Technologies, Total, and TüV Süd.

This has nearly doubled the number of companies committed to this goal within just a few months. More importantly, though, these companies are the right partners. They are global leaders in their respective industries, they are digital champions determined to make the digital world more secure. And together, we will lead by example to build trust in digital technologies throughout value chains and across industries and countries. The group now comprises AES, Airbus, Allianz, Atos, Cisco, Enel, Daimler, Dell Technologies, Deutsche Telekom, IBM, NXP Semiconductors, Siemens, SGS, the Munich Security Conference, Total, and TüV Süd.

Digitalization is the biggest and most radical transformation in the history of industry. The real and virtual worlds are merging – digital twins, robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the world of manufacturing. And as the number of devices and machines connected to the Internet of Things grows, the risks are rising: In 2017 alone, cyber attacks caused damage amounting to €500 billion worldwide. In some European countries, damage amounts to 1.6 percent of GDP. These figures don't even include the enormous immaterial damage – the loss of trust in digital technologies. That is exactly the impact attacks such as WannaCry, NotPetya, Meltdown, and Spectre, and the recent data scandal at Facebook have had.

And what if attacks on critical infrastructure were successful? What if the IT systems connecting and controlling our homes, hospitals, airports, factories and power grids failed? How can we protect our economy and our society, and ultimately the more than seven billion people on this planet against such attacks? Well, first, by recognizing that the threats in the digital world are real and that they put the real world at risk. And, second, by understanding that we can only meet these threats together – by joining forces and making a strong collective effort.

Cybersecurity concerns all of us

We must also recognize that the digital world knows no national boundaries. Solutions for cybersecurity issues must therefore work on an international level. That's why Siemens, together with the Munich Security Conference and a number of other companies, initiated the Charter of Trust. It outlines principles and concrete actions based on our expertise and more than 30 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity. The goals of the Charter are clearly defined: first, to protect the data of individuals and companies; second, to prevent damage to people, companies, and infrastructure; and third, to create a foundation for trust in the digital world. We're already taking action to achieve these goals. We are working together to introduce binding, independent certification by third parties. We're exploring how to improve awareness and knowledge of cybersecurity issues through training and education. One working group is already developing ways to make sure responsibility for cybersecurity is assured in every link of the digital value chain and across national borders. So, the Charter of Trust defines concrete actions that improve cybersecurity and protect all of us.

No company and no country is big enough or powerful enough to meet this challenge alone. That's why all of us should work together to establish binding global rules and standards. I am very pleased that Canada, the G7 chair this year, is supporting our initiative. Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs said, "Secure digital networks are the critical infrastructure underpinning our inter-connected world." So cybersecurity is likely to be one of the big topics at the upcoming summit of the G7 heads of state and government in Charlevoix, Québec.

The Charter of Trust shows that even in times of imminent trade conflicts and growing mistrust, global collaboration is possible for the good of all. 16 strong partners agree: "We want to make the digital world more secure." And with the Charter of Trust, we're off to a promising start. Now it's time to act. Cybersecurity concerns all of us.

For more information on the Charter of Trust, visit this Siemens page, that article or click on www.charter-of-trust.com