Iran Mulls Measures for Curbing Cyber Threats

EghtesadOnline: Iran wants to roll out a system for “securing online transactions and communications”, the outlines of which were ratified in the late Saturday session of the High Council of Cyberspace attended by President Hassan Rouhani.

News ID: ۷۴۸۰۱۲

29 July 2019

Reportedly, the system will create a secure mechanism for identifying users and service providers undertaking online transactions.

According to the president’s website, the system will be used for securing “financial and technical transactions” and can impact “social and political” communications along with online content production and distribution.

No further details about the plan are available. Some observers have speculated that the government is planning to introduce a KYC (Know your customer) verification system. However, official sources have not yet confirmed that, according to Financial Tribune.

The role of startups as well as cyberspace potentials and threats were underscored by President Rouhani during the session.

Rouhani said modern technologies can help boost the quality of services offered to people while creating a more secure business environment.

He also highlighted the fact that technological solutions can be tapped for creating transparency in different markets.

The president reiterated his goal of creating jobs with the help of startups and tech firms by tapping cyberspace potentials.

Iranian state players differ over how to regulate the cyberspace, with more conservative voices highlighting what they consider “cyber threats” aimed at “distorting Iranians’ Islamic way of life”.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of ICTs in enhancing the quality of services offered to citizens, Rouhani said concerns about the downsides of widespread activities of online platforms and services should not deter Iran from exploiting the potentials of cyberspace.

According to the president, all cyber threats can be curbed using the potentials of Iran’s National Information Network.

It is an independent domestic network that enables Iranians to communicate without relying on Internet hubs.

The national scheme comprises several projects, including but not limited to the expansion of the local fiber-optic network, installation of Internet Exchange Points and giving a boost to Content Delivery Networks.

ICT Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi was conspicuous by his absence, however other high-ranking officials were in attendance, including Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Hossein Salami, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi-Tabar, President’s Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi, Vice President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari and Secretary of High Council of Cyberspace Abolhassan Firouzabadi.

Startups in the Limelight

In the past few weeks, startups and their role in addressing national issues have been pushed into the limelight by President Rouhani and his men.

During the Smart Iran Summit held at Iran’s International Conference Center on July 17, Rouhani highlighted the importance of startups in Iran’s economic development.

On the sidelines of the summit, managers of several Iranian startups met with the president behind closed doors. After the meeting, Rouhani heaped praise on startups for creating jobs and making life easier for people.

Without singling out a firm, he said, “One of these startups have created 1.6 million jobs in four years.”

He noted that with the help of a local startup, saffron farmers can now directly get connected to customers, preventing the meddling of dealers and easing business.

According to Rouhani, cyberspace and startups play a pivotal and undeniable role in socioeconomic development, including environment and water management.