United Nations
A/RES/57/239
General Assembly
Distr.: General
31 January 2003
Fifty-seventh session
Agenda item 84 (c)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
[on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/529/Add.3)]
57/239. Creation of a global culture of cybersecurity
The General Assembly,
Noting the growing dependence of Governments, businesses, other
organizations and individual users on information technologies for the provision of
essential goods and services, the conduct of business and the exchange of
information,
Recognizing that the need for cybersecurity increases as countries increase
their participation in the information society,
Recalling its resolutions 55/63 of 4 December 2000 and 56/121 of
19 December 2001 on establishing the legal basis for combating the criminal misuse
of information technologies,
Recalling also its resolutions 53/70 of 4 December 1998, 54/49 of 1 December
1999, 55/28 of 20 November 2000, 56/19 of 29 November 2001 and 57/53 of
22 November 2002 on developments in the field of information and
telecommunications in the context of international security,
Aware that effective cybersecurity is not merely a matter of government or law
enforcement practices, but must be addressed through prevention and supported
throughout society,
Aware also that technology alone cannot ensure cybersecurity and that priority
must be given to cybersecurity planning and management throughout society,
Recognizing that, in a manner appropriate to their roles, government, business,
other organizations, and individual owners and users of information technologies
must be aware of relevant cybersecurity risks and preventive measures and must
assume responsibility for and take steps to enhance the security of these information
technologies,
Recognizing also that gaps in access to and the use of information technologies
by States can diminish the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating
the criminal misuse of information technology and in creating a global culture of
cybersecurity, and noting the need to facilitate the transfer of information
technologies, in particular to developing countries,
Recognizing further the importance of international cooperation for achieving
cybersecurity through the support of national efforts aimed at the enhancement of
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