from the same people that admit their supercomputers can't keep up with twitter

still, not kool.

ed: by the way, most of the stuff your worried about already happens.

The current UN policy is Net Neutrality, basically each country does what it wants and tries to keep the channels of communication open. Apart from that it is up to each country to sort out its own cultural issues of convergence.

In this new and growing cyber dimension a lot of new scams, tricks and conflicts are getting played out. The decentralised and global reach of the internet is presenting law enforcement and the legal system with significant challenges in trying to confront and address. A lot of countries are improving at working together in confronting theses challenges in an appropriate way, but there is still a lack of global cohesion with an effective international response.

To say that the UN has no role in the internet is wrong as it is an important piece of global infrastructure, but how much should it be? Something pushed through by the security council on the quite does not bode well. Something debated and thrashed out through the general assembly is generally more reasonable in its approach and aims. Currently there are many different bodies and groups looking after different pieces of the internet puzzle.

I do not expect the UN to have the resources to directly enforce any internet regulation, what the UN can do though is provide direction towards a common national standard of internet use throughout the worlds governments. When companies like Mastercard and Visa are getting bounced all around the world chasing down fraud, having common national frameworks of procedural and accounting practices helps a lot. There is growing international cohesion in taking down child porn sites.

The 'call for an international code of conduct for information security' sounds like a very clear and reasonable request for the international community to make. It comes across more about countries looking for guidance rather than control in trying to manage their internet responsibilities. To shot down any proposal before any details have been made and issues decided upon is immature and contrary to a sense of responsible global security. Every country is having many complex problems due to the hybrid global / local nature of the internet. To attack any global efforts to coordinate an appropriate response is reckless and irresponsible.

Without knowing exactly what was being proposed there may have existed some reason behind U.S. Cyber Command stance on the issue. But to shut down any debate on the topic comes across as someone still chasing ghosts with box cutters rather than someone being realistic about terrorism and the global security situation.

Cybercommand chief is now officially the coolest title ever. Seriously if I had that guys job, I wouldn't be corruptible or fearful of the TPTB like this man has shown. I also would make everyone address me by my title always.