Chile, Colombia sign cybersecurity MOU

Colombia and Chile signed a memorandum of understanding on cybersecurity, cybercrime and cyber defense.

The MOU was signed during a visit by Colombia's President Iván Duque to Chile.

Through binational working groups the two countries agreed to exchange best practices, and cooperate in developing national strategies and legislation, protocols, human capital management, education and training, according to a statement from Colombia's ICT ministry Mintic.

A separate statement from the Chilean presidency said agreements were also signed by the countries' science ministries.

The Chilean government of then-president Michelle Bachelet approved a cybercrime national policy in 2017, focusing on critical infrastructure, legislation, education, international collaboration and improved security.

The cybersecurity drive has continued under President Sebastián Piñera, whose government is drafting bills on the topic.

A national cybersecurity system will be coordinated by the interior ministry.

Duque's government is currently trying to push through an ICT reform bill to bolster flagging investment in the sector.

A recent study by Kaspersky Labs on Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico showed that though users are more aware of cyberattacks, they do little to prevent them.