The Activity of the Organization of American States in the Field of Cybersecurity

This paper provides a brief overview of the main stages of inter- American cooperation in cybersecurity matters, and analyzes the key aspects of the relatively recent programs initiated by the organs of the OAS in this field. To this end, after examining the notions of cybersecurity and cybercrime, the analysis focuses on the policies developed by the OAS in this area, which essentially follow a dual track: on the one hand, the tools aimed at promoting the creation of a regional framework for cybersecurity; on the other hand, the measures related to cooperation in criminal matters and aimed at countering cybercrime. The paper then delves into the functions of the main competent organs responsible for devising the overall OAS cybersecurity strategy. The final remarks highlight how the implementation of the OAS strategy on cybersecurity, which results from the coordinated action of a variety of bodies that work closely together, with the purpose of identifying forms and means of preventing, combating, and punishing cybercrime, has at the moment predominantly materialized through the adoption of non-binding acts. This situation, hence, is at the basis of the need for the adoption of binding instruments, including a future regional treaty to be negotiated under the aegis of the Organization, in order to effectively combat cybercrime in the American hemisphere.