National Network for Equitable Library Service

The revelations of Mr. Edward Snowden sparked widespread outrage about the illegal surveillance mechanisms of N.S.A. and G.C.H.Q. The intelligence war between allies and friends broke into the open when France, Germany and Spain summoned both the U.K. and U.S. ambassadors to explain the motives behind their surveillance activities. At the same time, in response to the uprisings that have swept the Arab world, North Africa, Syria and Ukraine, concerns about possible cyber attacks (State-sponsored or otherwise) on State computers, or cyber exports, have been amplified in the media, sparking a debate as to the appropriate course of action. Now citizens understand that their own privacy is being sacrificed in the name of concerns over international security. Cyberspace has become decisive arena of modern information warfare. Every morning we find ourselves in a far more dangerous world. With the global spread of technology and international links, we see a rapid rise in the traffic of dangerous ideas, dangerous materials and dangerous people. Short-term fixes and patch-up jobs are not enough. Real leadership and real solutions are urgently needed.