2. Basic Principles 2.1 Ensuring free flow of information Cyberspace has become a driver for social and economic growth due to its openness and availability to all actors. Excessive administration and regulation of cyberspace diminishes the benefits of cyberspace and could impede social and economic growth. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure openness and interoperability of cyberspace without excessively administering or regulating it and to maintain and develop safe and reliable cyberspace in which free flow of information is ensured. This will ensure freedom of expression and vibrant economic activities in cyberspace, facilitate innovation, economic growth and solutions for social issues and provide positive benefits which countries around the world can enjoy. 2.2 Responding to increasingly serious risks As cyber threats are growing in its severity, existing measures and initiatives are no longer capable of responding to these widespread and globalized risks. Vulnerability of cyberspace to these threats may impede activities in cyberspace and hamper free flow of information. Therefore, in addition to the existing measures and initiatives, there should be a new mechanism based on enhanced international cooperation in order to appropriately address the risks associated with the revolution in information and communication technology. 2.3 Enhancing risk-based approach Absolute prevention of cyber attacks is ideal, but has become practically difficult due to expansion of cyberspace and sophistication of cyber threats. A more realistic approach to cyber threats is to assume that certain risks will occur and trigger incidents, but to work toward a rapid recovery from such incident and to prevent any further damage from it through timely and appropriate allocation of resources and international cooperation. Therefore, one of the most urgent needs for the international community is to establish a mechanism to implement a risk-based approach, whereby risks are quickly and appropriately identified as they evolve and responded to dynamically in accordance with their characteristics. 2.4 Acting in partnership based on social responsibilities Diverse entities have enjoyed the benefits of the expanding cyberspace. As a result, cyber threats have become a reality, and these threats are spreading far and wide. In this context, it is important that the whole of society participates in “cyberspace hygiene” as a preventive measure against cyber threats, in addition to each entity taking individual measures and actions for their own cybersecurity. In this regard, all stakeholders in the global cyberspace need to cooperate and assist with each other while fulfilling the responsibilities corresponding to their respective roles in the society. 2