OECD

 

 

A multi-stakeholder, multilayered approach to spam

In view of the wide impact of spam, and the potential for further problems as a result of the convergence of communication technologies and the emergence of ubiquitous communications and mobile Internet, the OECD, has launched an Anti-Spam Toolkit, in order to help policy makers, regulators and industry players orient their policies relating to spam solutions and develop an inclusive and coherent answer to the spam issue using a broad multi-disciplinary range of solutions.

The Anti-Spam Toolkit concept aims to create a consistent framework to combat spam. This framework is composed by a number of inter-related elements, addressing:

Regulatory approaches:
To facilitate the development of domestic anti-spam legislation this section includes a list of regulatory elements which should be included in a comprehensive anti-spam legislation and a comprehensive catalogue of Anti-Spam Laws around the globe.

Enforcement:
Traditional enforcement procedures are not fully effective in the online world. To facilitate cross-border co-operation and coordination, the OECD adopted a Recommendation on Cross-Border Enforcement Co-operation and developed a web-based Enforcement Authorities Contact List.

Industry driven initiatives:
In order to appropriately deal with spam, domestic anti-spam laws and enforcement initiatives need to be coupled with private sector activities and support. In the framework of the Task Force a preliminary set of Best Practices for Internet Service Providers and other Network Operators. The list of practices is being developed and updated by the MAAWG.

Technical solutions:
Any attempt to combat spam effectively must involve the sensible application of a number of technological tools and methods. No solution will be entirely successful in isolation. When a number of anti-spam technologies are effectively used in collaboration with one another, the effect can be to drastically reduce the level of spam impacting a system.

Education and awareness:
Education is fundamental to create a culture of security and encourage a responsible use of cyberspace. Links to anti-spam educational tools and resources in different languages are available on the Anti-Spam Toolkit pages.

Global co-operation:
Spam, as the Internet, knows no borders, and travels from and to developed and developing economies. In this context, global co-operation is fundamental to promote appropriate domestic frameworks to counter spam in all countries, and to encourage co-operation among governments, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, in order to ensure the harmonized and widespread application of technical measures and the effective enforcement of applicable rules.

The OECD Anti-Spam Toolkit is also available in PFD (English and French) or in HTML format.

With the migration of more business, government and individual activities to IP-based systems and networks, our internet-dependent societies are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks. In this context the OECD Working Party on Information Security and Privacy and the APEC Security Prosperity Steering Group have decided to co-operate to analyse the malware phenomenon, and to develop appropriate strategies to combat its proliferation.

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