Rethinking safety and security in a networked world Foreword Against the backdrop of increasing and often sensational media coverage about the potential abuse of the Internet by spammers, hackers, paedophiles and terrorists, the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and a number of partners organised a conference on 8-10 September 2005 that sought to examine whether, and how, such fears are changing the complex and delicate balance of values and interests at stake in the Internet's global network of

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... etworks. Called Safety and Security in a Networked World: Balancing Cyber-rights and Responsibilities, the conference focused on two aspects associated with risks arising from the use of the Internet and related information and communication technologies (ICTs): personal safety online, and the security of the networks and systems being used. These safety and security dimensions receive much political and media attention, but are rarely considered together. The Conference Organising Committee therefore sought to encourage a productive dialogue between experts from both these communities and other relevant stakeholders. The aim was to better inform agendas for international government-industry cooperation at all levels by enhancing understanding of the key problems and possible responses in these areas. Over 140 people attended the event, and forty-one papers were chosen for presentation at the conference out of more than 70 abstracts submitted. Participants included representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), mainly concerned with child safety, government policy makers, law enforcement officials, regulators, ICT suppliers, researchers, educationalists, and technical experts. This discussion paper draws primarily on presentations, papers and discussions at the event in summarising the main themes and findings that emerged from the conference. Further background, including papers, webcasts of key sessions and interviews with some participants, is available on the OII website (www.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/cybersafety).