Joint Efforts for Cyber Security
Threats of More intelligent worldwide cyber attacks of these days are strengthening cyber security alliance between Korea and the United States.
According to the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the Korean government and the US government (Air Force Research Laboratory) will finalize the selection of a research consortium for the start of joint research on next generation fundamental cyber security technology by the end of this month. The Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning is discussing cooperation with the US Department of Homeland Security and the US Air Force Research Laboratory. The Korean ministry said the US Army and the US Navy clarified their positions to support the joint research program by drawing up a concrete plan.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory which is rapidly cooperating with Korea will carry out a total of five tasks including next generation encryption, nano-scale security, and quantum-based security for satellite communications together with the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. The two institutions will select the five final teams which will carry out the tasks through deliberation and evaluation and will provide 120 million won (US$108,000) to each team.
Even though there have been many international joint research projects on cyber security in the private sector, this will be the first case where the two governments initiate fundamental research via joint investment. "The final task teams are expected to be selected among college teams. Their specific tasks will be selected by means of joint evaluation by the two countries," said an official of the Korean Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. After the Trump administration took power, all of top working-level US officials were replaced. Thus there is a concern that uncertainties grew in bilateral cooperation. But in fact, the Obama administration's basic tone remains unchanged."
Earlier, in September of last year, the two countries agreed to promote cyber security research and strengthen cooperation between CERTs and the private sectors by jointly investing US$ 6 million for three years. However, according to some Korean government officials and experts, since Trump came to power, the attitudes of US government officials have become passive unlike the Obama administration actively involved in strengthening cyber security policies and cooperating with its allies.
Meanwhile, a prospect is predominant that the cyber security cooperation system between Korea and the United States will be further strengthened. On May 11 (local time), President Trump issued an executive order to strengthen cyber security, which included stronger cooperation with allies.