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OAS and AWS Present “White Paper” on Sustainable Cybersecurity in Cities

The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) today presented in Bogota a joint “white paper” that addresses the challenges and opportunities that cybersecurity presents for cities, and establishes recommendations for the sustainability of “smart cities.”

This document is the fourth in a series that, together with other joint initiatives, seeks to raise consciousness among governmental leaders, the private sector and society in general on the importance of cybersecurity.

Under the title “A call to city leaders: Making our cities smarter, safer, and more efficient,” the document incorporates key elements for the management of cybersecurity in cities, in a moment in which the eruption of 5G will multiply exponentially the connectivity of their inhabitants, and will empower the Internet of Things, with the outlook of some 50 billion connected devices by 2020.

The Secretary for Multidimensional Security of the OAS, Farah Urrutia, said “the cities of the Hemisphere have faced in recent years the challenges derived from the rhythms of technological growth, in many cases incompatible with sustainability. The digitalization that they now experience poses a new challenge. The cities that emerge from this process must be intelligent, but at the same time cybersecure, efficient and sustainable. This document calls on the leaders of the cities to achieve this balance.”

The white paper includes four essential recommendations for cities that want to prepare themselves for the new challenges of cybersecurity:

1. Carry out an evaluation of the processes of obtaining, storing, using and reusing data.
   
2. Consider the strengthening of institutions specifically dedicated to the management of cybersecurity.
   
3. Consider the adoption of existing frameworks and standards at the national or international level, ensuring the suitability of the clauses in technology service contracts.
   
4. Establish internationally recognized mechanisms related to audit and compliance.

For more information, consult the document here:

SPANISH | ENGLISH | FRENCH | PORTUGUESE

The launch of the white paper took place in the framework of Col 4.0, an event organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology of Colombia, in alliance with the private sector, that aims to connect and inspire Colombians with the best exponents of global digital talent.

Related press releases: Launches of the White Papers in the OAS-AWS joint series:

1. FIRST WHITE PAPER: OAS and Amazon Web Services Team Up for Increased Cybersecurity for North American and Latin American Citizens, Businesses and Governments
   
2. SECOND WHITE PAPER: OAS and Amazon Web Services push agenda on cyber risk Management in the Americas
   
3. THIRD WHITE PAPER: OAS and Amazon Web Services Present Third Joint White Paper to Reinforce the Cybersecurity of Small and Medium Enterprises

Media contacts:
Miguel Angel Cañada
OAS Communications Officer
[email protected]

Reference: E-065/18