Specialist cyber police proposed

Keith Davidson

Cyber police are among measures being considered by the Government in a new discussion paper aimed at improving security in information and communications technology.

ICT Minister David Cunliffe said the report, compiled by the Ministry of Economic Development, highlighted not only the importance of security but also what needed to be done to boost it.

"Ensuring a high degree of safety and security, and therefore confidence, in the use of information and communications technologies is critical if we want all New Zealanders to use ICT, and to benefit from it," he said.

Some of the report's suggestions include reviewing the need for a national computer emergency response team, a comparison of local cyber-security laws with international equivalents and the development of security standards for ICT infrastructure.

The report also suggests the establishment of specialist police units to investigate cyber crimes, as well as forcing telecommunications companies and internet service providers to assist probes.

Douglas White, chief executive of the New Zealand Computer Society, welcomed the report and hoped it would bring more attention to the need for better security.

"There are so many slack views [on security] out there and companies are running by the seat of their pants," he said. "It's great that these sorts of things are happening."

The paper also suggests reviewing the policies of Internet New Zealand and whether the Government needs to establish a more formal relationship with the internet management group.

Internet NZ executive director Keith Davidson said the group was an active participant in the MED's report and would be making further submissions to the discussion.

The MED is taking submissions on the report from interested parties until April 13. Its conclusions may be incorporated into legislation including the Telecommunications Act, the Privacy Act and the Crimes Act.