According to the legal instrument itself, "These Guidelines aim to:

• Promote a culture of security among all participants as a means of protecting information systems and networks.
• Raise awareness about the risk to information systems and networks; the policies, practices, measures and procedures available to address those risks; and the need for their adoption and implementation.
• Foster greater confidence among all participants in information systems and networks and the way in which they are provided and used.
• Create a general frame of reference that will help participants understand security issues and respect ethical values in the development and implementation of coherent policies, practices, measures and procedures for the security of information systems and networks.
• Promote cooperation and information sharing, as appropriate, among all participants in the development and implementation of security policies, practices, measures and procedures.
• Promote the consideration of security as an important objective among all participants involved in the development or implementation of standards."

In addition to the actual Guidelines which may be found by clicking on the link to the "Official Text" (on the left side of this page), the Implementation Plan for these Guidelines may be found at the OECD website.

As described on the OECD website, "These guidelines apply to all participants in the new information society and suggest the need for a greater awareness and understanding of security issues, including the need to develop a 'culture of security' - that is, a focus on security in the development of information systems and networks, and the adoption of new ways of thinking and behaving when using and interacting within information systems and networks. The guidelines constitute a foundation for work towards a culture of security throughout society."