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OAS and Amazon Web Services push agenda on cyber risk Management in the Americas

  April 19, 2018

The Organization of American States (OAS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) released their second joint white paper today, which invites reflection on the opportunities presented by the digital economy and the risks of cyber insecurity.

This publication is the second in a series that seeks, together with other initiatives, to analyze the state of cybersecurity in the Americas and raise the awareness of government leaders, companies and society in general around the issue. The first white paper was called "A Call to Action to Protect Citizens, Private Sector and Government".

Under the title "Management of National Cyber Risk", the document presented today incorporates the analysis of four strategic frameworks (governmental, international, academic and technical) so that governments can implement strategies that guarantee cyberspace security to citizens, businesses and administrations. The report also proposes a methodology for the management of cyber risk in the long term, as well as recommendations for the definition and implementation of Performance Indicators.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro stated, "One of the main common challenges facing the countries of the Americas - and in general the entire planet - is the need to have an integrated agenda around cybersecurity. With this publication we intend to promote the necessary conversation about the importance of deepening the digitization process." The Secretary-General stressed that, "at the same time, we want to ensure that all these decisive progress are made in a safe and sustainable manner. This document presented today is a further result of the fruitful collaboration of the OAS and Amazon Web Services, which we hope will continue to be maintained and even expanded in the future."

In the agreement, Jeff Kratz, General Manager of AWS's public sector for Latin America, Canada and Caribbean, notes that, “AWS is keen on continuing this collaboration with OAS across the Americas so that companies of all sizes, governments and citizens can become more aware and know how to manage these cybersecurity risks. It’s important to raise awareness and offer recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity.”

The book has contributions from Melissa Hathaway, main author and Senior Fellow and Member of the Board of Regents of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. In the coming months, OAS and AWS will launch a publication that addresses cybersecurity opportunities and risks for small and medium-sized companies, as well as other documents aimed at raising awareness among public and business leaders throughout the region.

For more information, you can access the document here.

Contacts for media:

Priscila Marques
Public Relations Coordinator
[email protected]

Lorenzo Durán
GJ Communicaciones
[email protected]

Miguel Angel Cañada
Press Officer
[email protected]

Reference: E-021/18