Behind the advancement of digital technology, there are dark sides including cyber threats. Security incidents that are closely related to political and security factors occur all over the world and pose an invisible threat to the safety and human rights of people around the world. Widespread attacks such as ransomware attacks, social chaos using social media (SNS), hybrid warfare, and cryptocurrency theft are targeting all areas of private, public, defense, and finance. These attacks are already having a significant impact on our society and individual lives, and anxiety about them is gradually increasing.

KISTEP held the 164th Wednesday Forum on November 22 under the theme of “Innovation strategy for cyber and digital security technology.”

△ President Byung-Seon Jeong

In the opening remarks, President Byung-Seon Jeong said, “In a situation where the digital transformation is gradually accelerating, the risk of personal information infringement is emerging, and international security crises such as the recent war in Ukraine occur, cyber security issues must be approached from the perspective of national security,” adding, “It is meaningful to have an opportunity to devise strategies and consider policy alternatives for security threats.”

△ Jeong-hee Kim, Director at Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA)

In the presentation, Jeong-hee Kim, director at KISA, said that “The Big Blur phenomenon, in which the boundaries of information and communication networks are blurred, is accelerating, and convenience and effectiveness of use are increasing. However, due to the 'interconnectivity' that is a characteristic of the Internet, the influence of thoughts is spreading in real time around the world. The risk is growing day by day, and the security aspect is being emphasized more than anything else.”

In addition, Kim emphasized that “With the increasing cyber crime and intensifying competition for technology hegemony between the US and China, cyber security is being recognized as a national security issue,” adding “Responsible actions and efforts at the national level are needed to eradicate malicious behavior in cyberspace.”

Kim concluded that digital security technology development and strategies are needed, such as ▲ technology development focused on suppressing cyber attacks, ▲ inducing changes through innovation technology, ▲ integrated security solutions, and ▲ cyber response technology development for national security and public safety.

△ Seung-su Jun, Director General of the Office of National R&D Coordination at KISTEP

In the panel discussion presided over by Seung-su Jun (Director General of the Office of National R&D Coordination, KISTEP), two experts including Doo-sik Yoon (CEO of Jiransecurity) and Byunghoon Kang (Professor at KAIST Graduate School of Information Security) participated to examine changes in cyber attacks due to digital transformation and the need to develop new cyber security technologies, and discuss policy support to strengthen future cyber security response capabilities at the national level.

△ Doo-sik Yoon, CEO of Jiransecurity, and Byunghoon Kang, Professor at KAIST Graduate School of Information Security

Doo-sik Yoon suggested, “A fundamental change is occurring in cyber security, and this is a stage where the government and the private sector must respond together.” According to him, the size of Korea's information security market is one-fifth of Japan's and one-fiftieth of the United States. He emphasized the need to develop and utilize new technologies to overcome the limitations of existing security technologies, strengthen the cooperation system among domestic cyber security companies through open platforms and interconnection technologies, and expand the government's security infrastructure.

Professor Byunghoon Kang explained that amidst international changes in information security, cyber space is needed where security is emphasized and has an independent execution environment, and cyber network space also needs safety devices. In addition, he emphasized the convenience of standardization and the dysfunction and risks of integration, and explained the need to establish national policies and roadmaps in terms of cyber security.

In the discussion that followed, active discussions took place among the panelists on the following topics: “Megatrends and direction of innovation in cyber security and security technology”, “Focus on innovation and R&D in cyber security technology”, and “Direction of government policy support and environment for technological innovation”. Detailed information can be viewed again on the KISTEP YouTube channel.