The growth and development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has led to the wide diffusion and application of these technologies, increasing their economic and social impact.

The OECD undertakes a wide range of activities aimed at improving our understanding of how ICTs contribute to sustainable economic growth and social well-being and ICTs' role in the shift towards knowledge-based societies.

In October 2001 the OECD Committee on Information, Computer, and Communication Policy (ICCP) responded positively to a U.S. proposal for an expedited review of the security guidelines. In fact, the OECD member countries, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC), civil society and the OECD Secretariat shared our sense of urgency and responded with full cooperation and support.

Originally scheduled for completion in May 2003, the adoption of these guidelines by the OECD Council on July 25 2002 was a clear demonstration of the ability of the OECD to respond to global challenges and an indication of the continuing relevance of the OECD to today's important issues.

The OECD announced the completion of "Guidelines for the Security of Information Systems and Networks: Towards a Culture of Security" on August 6, 2002.

These guidelines respond to the dramatic changes in computing power, use of the Internet, and development of networked systems that occurred since the original guidelines were published in 1992.

These guidelines provide a set of principles to help ensure the security of today's interconnected communications systems and networks. They were developed with the involvement of industry and civil society and are applicable to all, from those who manufacture, own, and operate information systems to those individual users who connect through home PCs.

Completion of the guidelines was only the first step. U.S. Government agencies are using the guidelines in their outreach activities to the private sector, the public and other governments. For example, at the 57th United Nations General Assembly in 2002, the U.S. introduced and the General Assembly adopted a resolution based on the guidelines that calls for the creation of a global culture of cyber-security (UNGA Res 57/239).

To mark the completion of the first year of the revised Security Guidelines, and enable stocktaking of the progress achieved, the OECD convened a "Global Forum on Information Security: Towards a Global Culture of Security" on 13-14 October 2003 in Oslo, Norway.

As a forum where governments, industry and civil society meet, the OECD provides an excellent venue to address policy issues of cyber security in a networked economy where partnership among parties is required to meet the challenges.