McAfee boss calls for global cyber-crime body

Dave DeWalt claims a global framework is needed to resolve the growing threat of Cold War-style cyber-attacks

DeWalt argues that countries must work together to tackle the new style of attacks

McAfee’s chief executive is calling for the formation of a global framework to fight the growing spectre of cyber-crime.

Dave DeWalt stopped off briefly in London today on his way out to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he will give a keynote on the need to protect critical infrastructure.

He stressed that companies and countries are now facing not only the threat of cyber-terrorism but also state-funded attacks that are “creating an atmosphere of war online”.

“Unfortunately, we do not have a global framework in which we can solve these problems,” DeWalt told CRN. “There is no World Health Organisation for cyber-crime or cyber-warfare, like there is for viruses in the physical world.

“Part of what I will talk about at the World Economic Forum is the need for a global governing body that helps resolve some of these crises we are seeing. One company like McAfee or one country like the UK cannot do it on its own – we have to work together.”

DeWalt maintained that the exponential rise in threats is good news for the channel.

“Growth of the security industry has been in direct proportion to the heightened threat landscape,” he explained. “When you look at 2009 the security industry will have grown 5-10 per cent when all other IT segments have declined. If you are a channel partner it is a good place to be.”