PC maker Dell is stepping forward to take a more visible roll in fighting cybercrime.

Dell announced its membership in the Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council, an organization sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security to help shape technology-industry activities related to protecting U.S. infrastructure.

"Governments and private industry need to work collaboratively to develop the appropriate international framework to secure cyberspace," says Dell CEO Michael Dell. "We should all do this in a way that keeps our global information central nervous system intact and secure. It's important that we prevent destructive elements, particularly given the Internet's present and future role in our society."

His remarks came at a who's who confab of government, corporate and civic leaders from the around the world convening in Dallas this week to discuss the need for wider public-private partnerships to make the Internet safer.

White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt gave a keynote speech Monday night at the Belo Mansion to open the East West Institute's Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit.

Schmidt called for sophisticated Internet useage policies that don't stifle speech or innovation. "We have to look at this not only from the technology perspective but also the economic perspective," says Schmidt. "The ability to communicate is the greatest gift we have. It's important to preserve those things on the Internet."

Rising cyberattacks are being carried out by cybergangs who control large botnets. These sprawling networks of infected home and workplace PCs are being used to compromise confidential information, taint and cripple websites and swipe financial, commercial and military data. Summit attendees will hear how criminals and terrorists can use botnet-driven cyberattacks to paralyze communications infrastructure, compromise international financial systems and disrupt government services.

Panelists will discuss the need for greater international policy coordination and a more thorough understanding of the need for security in cyberspace. "Technology is definitely outpacing the creation of laws and policy," said Kamlesh Bajaj, Chief Executive Officer of the Data Security Council of India. "This issue requires international cooperation. It's not merely a technology problem."