NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY GREEN PAPER 3 OVERALL DIRECTION GUIDING PRINCIPLES Within this context, the following principles are proposed: Rule of Law The approach on cyber security shall respect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms as chartered within European Union and national legislation. All measures shall comply with the principles of necessity, proportionality and legality, with appropriate safeguards to ensure accountability and redress. Multi-stakeholder, cooperative and collaborative approach “ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, ACADEMIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY IS NECESSARY. A COOPERATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AT AN EU AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL IS ALSO REQUIRED.” The pervasive nature of cyber space, essentially calls for a multi-stakeholder approach towards its security – both at a national level as well as beyond Malta’s shores. Hence, on a national level, cooperation and collaboration of various stakeholders, including the public sector, the private sector, academia and civil society is necessary. A cooperative and collaborative approach at an EU and international level is also required. Shared responsibility Whilst leading in its commitment towards cyber security on a national scale, Government cannot assume sole responsibility for protecting all of cyberspace. All users of ICT are responsible to take reasonable steps to protect systems and data on an individual and on a collective basis. Risk Management The widely diffused use of cyberspace coupled with its rapid and continuous evolvement, renders it impossible to guarantee immunity from any form of cyber attack. Hence a risk-based approach to assess, prioritise and take measures to ensure cyber security, along with any technology investment is necessary. 11 MALTA | NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY GREEN PAPER