Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela recently announced that the government is taking steps to establish a legal framework that supports ethical hacking practices. This decision comes in light of recent incidents where three University of Malta students and their lecturer faced criminal charges for identifying security vulnerabilities in FreeHour, the largest student application in Malta.
The students and lecturer, who engaged in what is known as ethical hacking, were charged despite their intentions to improve the system’s security. The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) had urged for urgent legislative reform to protect individuals engaged in ethical hacking activities. However, the students and lecturer were still prosecuted by the police, leading to significant backlash from various organizations, including the national trade union federation Forum Unions Maltin.
In response to the charges, the University of Malta expressed concern about the impact on the students’ professional development in the cybersecurity field. The university’s Academic Staff Association also defended the lecturer’s actions, stating that he acted with academic integrity and according to procedures.
To address these issues and protect ethical hackers like the students and lecturer in the future, the Maltese government will review a policy document drafted by the Malta Digital and Innovation Authority (MDIA). This document, open for public consultation, aims to provide clear guidelines to distinguish between malicious hackers and well-intentioned hackers, commonly known as white hat hackers.
Prime Minister Abela emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a safer digital environment and outlined a 10-year vision for Malta in the upcoming budget. This vision focuses on various aspects of the country, including its population, infrastructure, healthcare, transport, pensions, and education.
Additionally, the government’s budget for the next decade aims to attract higher-value investments that reduce reliance on foreign workers while developing key sectors like education, healthcare, transport, and energy infrastructure. The prime minister highlighted the importance of selecting investments that create high-skilled jobs with competitive wages.
Furthermore, the prime minister called on Labour delegates to support the candidacies of Ian Borg and Alex Agius Saliba as deputy leaders, emphasizing the need for renewal within the party to enhance the efficiency of the economy and governance in Malta.
In response to these developments, FreeHour, the student platform where the security vulnerability was discovered, expressed its commitment to finding a positive resolution to the incident. The platform also recognized the urgent need for modern laws and guidelines surrounding cybersecurity practices.
Overall, the Maltese government’s efforts to create a legal framework supporting ethical hacking practices demonstrate a proactive approach to cybersecurity and digital innovation. By addressing the challenges faced by ethical hackers and promoting a safer digital environment, Malta is taking significant steps towards securing its digital future.