Symantec boss demands tougher laws on cyber crime

Symantec CEO John Thompson has said it is "unconscionable" that cyber crime is going unpunished to the degree that it is around the world and demanded that governments get to grips with the escalating threats.

While companies such as Symantec have a vested interest in protecting users against threats, Thompson said he believes the majority of internet users are still unprotected and more must be done at a legislative level to provide deterrents and punish offenders in order to encourage more citizens and businesses to engage online.

"To suggest that technology is the answer is naïve and incorrect," said Thompson. "Governments must have a rule to protect and serve in the digital world. "

At the heart of the matter is the issue of international cooperation - or the lack of it.

"International cooperation is miniscule, it's almost non-existent... and we need to raise this discussion to a higher level," Thompson told a select group of press at his company's Cupertino headquarters.

"If somebody robs a bank or kills somebody, we have very strong laws of extradition," said Thompson, demanding similar laws and accords be brought in to cover cyber crimes.

"We need to have uniformity, not just in terms of what the laws are but what the punishments are," said Thompson, expressing disbelief at the paucity of convictions for offences and the light sentences handed out where individuals are prosecuted.

"We have to make this lifestyle we've created as secure as possible."