"Just as roads, ports, and power grids were the foundations of the industrialization era, cybersecurity will become the foundation of the AI and digital age."
Lee Jong-seok, director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), said on the 17th at 'Cyber Summit Korea 2026' held at COEX in Seoul's Gangnam District that "cybersecurity is invisible, but when it collapses, everything stops."
Cyber Summit Korea 2026 is a joint event organized by the National Intelligence Service and the Agency for National Security Technology. The event runs from the 16th to the 18th. Launched in 2024 with the purpose of enabling the international community to jointly respond to cyber threats, this year marks its third edition. The summit serves as a platform for domestic and international cybersecurity experts to discuss solutions and expand collaborative foundations.
The Director noted that security has become more critical as key elements of the AI era are increasingly interconnected. He said, "AI, cloud computing, data centers, satellite communications, digital finance, smart factories, and autonomous systems operate in close coordination." He added, "Connectivity simultaneously creates pathways. Ransomware spreads through supply chains, and attacks targeting national core infrastructure are becoming increasingly organized."
He further warned, "If security cannot keep pace with the speed of connectivity, we will ultimately fail to protect ourselves." He concluded, "AI without trust cannot be safe, and data that is not secure cannot become a source of national competitiveness."
The Director emphasized international cooperation as key to strengthening cybersecurity. He stated, "Cybersecurity is a common language used by the entire world," adding, "When we share information, exchange experiences, and jointly advance technology and policy, the connected world becomes safer."
The National Intelligence Service plans to serve as a bridge with the global security ecosystem. The Director said, "The National Intelligence Service will continue to strengthen South Korea's security capabilities and expand cooperation with the international community," adding, "We will strengthen alliances with international organizations and global companies and build a more robust network of collaboration."
The agency also plans to actively respond to cyber threats in daily life. The Director remarked, "Voice phishing and smishing are cyber threats experienced in everyday life," and added, "As the connected world has become our reality, we must deeply consider how to make this connectivity as safe as possible and to what extent."
in TECH
