Washington DC trip

Washington Press Release
19/01/05

Press Release
UK Delegation Leads the Way in Tackling Global Internet Security Issues

The All-Party Parliamentary Internet Group has unveiled plans for a high profile visit to Washington DC in February to discuss how the UK and US could lead the way in tackling various network integrity and internet security issues, including spam, viruses, zombie computers, rogue diallers, denial of service attacks and cybersecurity. DTI Head of UK Telecoms Policy Claire Hobson, who leads the Government’s spam policy nationally, will join members of APIG, Derek Wyatt MP, Ian Stewart MP and Ian Taylor MP, to represent the UK at meetings with Members of Congress and Officials at Federal Departments and Agencies.

Allegedly, the majority of spam, viruses and other so-called ‘malware’ originate from the USA – but the country is also the place where some of the most advanced technical and legal solutions to the problem are being developed. The delegation will be spending three days on Capitol Hill conducting a series of meetings with key legislators and officials, with the objective of sharing best practice and furthering cooperation with the US on key issues of concern.

The DTI, Office of Fair Trading and the Information Commissioner already concluded an arrangement with the US Federal Trade Commission last year, which will result in our two countries cooperating to investigate jointly cross-border cases of Spam. But the delegation led by APIG is keen to go further, working towards a safer Internet in partnership with the US.

Commenting, Derek Wyatt, Chairman of the All-Party Internet Group said,

“This year will see the UK chairing both the EU Presidency and the G8, and the World Summit on the Information Society will conclude this November. In this context, the APIG/DTI trip provides a unique opportunity to deepen our relations with the US and send a strong message to the international community on the need to cooperate to make the Internet a safer and securer environment.”

This year’s visit comes as a follow-up to a visit to Washington by APIG in 2003, which followed the conclusions of APIG’s Inquiry into Spam, released in July 2003.
 
MessageLabs, the leading provider of managed email security services, is sponsoring the event for the second time. Stephen Millard, Vice President of Marketing MessageLabs EMEA, commented,

"MessageLabs is heavily involved with a variety of government agencies helping to lead the debate on how countries and organisations can collaborate effectively to tackle internet security issues. We are delighted to be supporting this second high profile APIG visit to Washington DC which will see key legislators and officials from both sides of the Atlantic come together in the fight against cyber-crime."

Matt Lambert Director of Government Affairs for Microsoft, also sponsoring the event for the second time said:

“Microsoft is pleased to sponsor the visit of the All Party Internet Group to Washington DC because spam is a global issue and a good understanding between politicians on both sides of the Atlantic is essential to fostering improved international cooperation in the fight against the spammers.”
 

Notes to editors:

  1. The trip will be taking place February 7th-9th
  2. Lead sponsors of the trip are Microsoft and MessageLabs. Interregnum plc, the technology merchant bank, are additional sponsors.
  3. For further details please contact the delegation that will be visiting Washington DC. Derek Wyatt MP, Ian Stewart MP or Ian Taylor MP on 020 7219 3000.
  4. The All Party Parliamentary Internet Group exists to provide a discussion forum between new media industries and parliamentarians. Accordingly, the group considers Internet issues as they affect society, informing Parliamentary debate through meetings, informal receptions, inquiries and reports. The group is open to all members of the Houses of Parliament.
  5. Officers of the Group are: Derek Wyatt MP (Chm); Michael Fabricant MP; (JVCh), Richard Allan MP (JVCh); Nick Palmer MP (Sec); Brian White MP (Treasurer
  6. The delegation visited previously visited Washington DC in October 2003