Colombian officials from different government forces will travel to Estonia to receive training in cyber security, the defense minister revealed Tuesday.
Minister of Defense Juan Carlos Pinzon stated that developing capabilities in areas of cyber security and cyber defense is crucial and therefore requires preparation.
“This is part of an effort to strengthen this knowledge in such a critical issue today, not only in Colombia, but in the world,” the minister said.
| “If you look in terms of public safety, this is a problem, this is an issue, it’s an everyday issue and affects anyone performing transactions online, or using a cell phone. This is real life.” |
Pinzon argued that the importance of cyber security, saying cyber crime concerns every citizen using Internet or cell phones.
“If you look in terms of public safety, this is a problem, this is an issue, it’s an everyday issue that affects anyone performing transactions online, or using a cell phone. This is real life,” Pinzon stated.
Estonia to welcome nine Colombians
Two army officers, one Navy officer, five air force officers and one officer from the national police will make the trip to the eastern European capitol Tallinn in Estonia.
For the next two years, the Colombian envoy consisting of officials, electronic engineers, and computer scientists will participate in various tactical exercises, where they are faced with cyber threats and cyber attack scenarios on government, businesses and social infrastructure.
The project is part of a cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and Bell Helicopter, which is an American rotorcraft manufacturer producing military helicopters.
Colombia increasingly interesting for cyber criminals
The economic growth Colombia has experienced in recent years has made the country a more tempting target for criminals committing cybercrimes.
Therefore, some of Colombia’s most important industries such as oil and mining could potentially be victims of dangerous cyber-attacks within 10 years, if preventive measures of risk-management are not executed, according to Yesid Yermanos Aldana, president of the Colombian chapter of the International Society of Automation (ISA)
Cyber-attacks against these industries could cause “an explosion or significant loss of property and human life, without anyone having to plant an explosive.”
MORE: Colombia’s top industries vulnerable to cyber attacks
Colombian cybercrime is increasing, and in 2013 stealing money or information via computer cost Colombians $500 million. Last year only one in three cyber crimes were discovered by systems set up to police it, and four in ten criminal actions were discovered by accident.
Colombian Cybercrime Police captured more than 343 native cybercriminals, additional to the ones caught from other countries.
MORE: Colombia sees tripling of economic impact of fraud, corruption, cyber crime
In March, the Organization of American States (OAS) announced that they were sending a team of international experts to assist Colombia in improving the country’s cyber security.
The Minister of Defense stated that the support of OAS was essential in achieving international block, which will make it possible to provide security for citizens when they are using Internet.
MORE: Colombia to receive cyber-security assistance from ‘international experts’
Sources
- Oficiales de las Fuerzas Armadas aprenderán sobre Ciberdefensa en Estonia (Minstry of Defense website)