An eSecurity working group has been set up to discuss how the internet can be made safer for its users, particularly children.

Addressing the working group at its first meeting yesterday, Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt said the working group will be discussing internet-related problems such as unauthorised access to confidential documents and sexual abuse on children, and others. He said the working group will propose measures to safeguard IT users.

The working group will be looking at existing legislation and it will also propose amendments if necessary or suggest the introduction of new legislation. He said the group will also be examining the role of the police force’s Cyber Crimes Unit to establish how it can offer a better service to the public.

Dr Gatt insisted on the importance of education and greater awareness of the disadvantages of the internet.

Police Commissioner John Rizzo said that since the Cyber Crimes Unit was established in February 2003, it was called to assist in more than 300 cases. These included unauthorised access of documents, theft of confidential information, fraud, breach of copyright, child abuse, child pornography and other related crimes.

The unit analysed 200 computers, 230 hard disks, 3,600 compact disks, 600 floppy disks and more than 150 related items.

The participating entities include the Police Force, the Malta Communications Authority, the Commissioner for Children, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority and the Office of the Attorney general, among others.