10 Mar, 2021
Online
Cyber-Girls
8 March is International Women's Day!
To celebrate women's achievements in the cybersecurity domain, the Agency organises a virtual meeting of former European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC) participants. Women panelists present their involvement in the ECSC, including the difficulties faced and the skills, acquired, discussing also the women's current and future role in cybersecurity.
9 Mar, 2021
Online
Playing with Lives: Cyberattacks on Healthcare are Attacks on People
The CyberPeace Institute will publish a report “Playing with Lives: Cyberattacks on Healthcare are Attacks on People” on 9 March 2021, calling governments to remove rewards for criminals and hostile states attacking healthcare.
The first of its kind, this analytical report focuses on the impacts of attacks on people and society. It consolidates scattered information, demonstrating the complexity, magnitude and scope of the threat to healthcare, from ransomware through disinformation to COVID-19 related cyber espionage. It breaks down the silos of research and investigation to connect victims’ testimonials, cybersecurity reporting, volunteer initiatives and academic findings.
Themes & Topics
Organisation
9 Mar, 2021
Online
Sustainable Capacity Building: Internet Governance in Africa
What are capacity building initiatives offered by several stakeholder groups in Africa at the continental, regional, and national levels? What are the strengths and weaknesses in capacity building initiatives and how can we match them against the scenario of opportunities and threats in the Internet governance policy space?
The online discussion on Tuesday, 9 March 2021, 13:00 - 14:00 UTC (14:00 - 15:00 CET), will include the presentation of a report - suggesting the action plan ahead - prepared in the framework of the PRIDA project by DiploFoundation. The launch of the report ‘Sustainable Capacity Building: Internet Governance in Africa’ will be an opportunity to present the key findings and recommendations of the study. An interactive discussion will follow among IG capacity building experts and practitioners, with the possibility of interaction with attendees.
8 Mar, 2021
Online
ITU Women in Cyber: Launch event
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and EQUALS, the global partnership for gender equality in the digital age of which ITU is a co-founder, jointly organize the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme for empowering women in the cybersecurity sector. The programme engages role models and leaders in this field, and connects them with talented women worldwide.
The programme will feature guided monthly mentorship circles, with supporting activities including a series of inspirational keynotes and technical and soft skills training courses. It is open to women working in cybersecurity at junior levels, as well as women in ICT/STEM seeking to enter the cybersecurity workforce. It aims to shift the mentality and tackle systemic barriers that prevent broader inclusion in the cybersecurity field, encourage women to take on leadership roles in cybersecurity, and promote knowledge sharing of professional best practices.
The inaugural rollout will run in the Africa and Arab regions from March to August 2021, fully virtual, with the launch taking place on 8 March 2021, at the occasion of International Women’s Day.
2 Mar, 2021
Online
2021: The emergence of digital foreign policy
All countries, albeit with differences in emphasis depending on their circumstances and capabilities, recognise that digitisation plays a role in foreign policy. In the age of digitisation, diplomacy is shifting and adapting. Some countries have launched comprehensive digital foreign policy strategies, others have instantiated dedicated positions such as cyber ambassadors or tech envoys. With existing developments coming to fruition and new developments taking shape, we believe that 2021 is the year where we will see digital foreign policy emerge fully.
Aims of the event -
Mapping: What is the current situation regarding countries’ digital foreign policy strategies? What other documents are particularly relevant and what are the different approaches taken by countries?
Analysing: What shape do digital foreign policy strategies take? What is the institutional setting supporting them?
Indicating best practices: What can we learn from these strategies and the approaches of various countries regarding their digital foreign policy? What advice can we give to countries seeking to develop such strategies and implementing their digital foreign policies?
Themes & Topics
Organisation
25 Feb, 2021
United States
Informal Multistakeholder Consultation on OEWG Zero Draft Report
Ahead of the third and final substantive session of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) between 8-12 March 2021, the informal multistakeholder consultation on the Zero Draft Report will take place online on 25 February.
25 Feb, 2021
Online
OEWG Multi-stakeholder Exchange
Over the past two years the United Nations Open-ended working group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG) has been discussing issues of critical importance to international security and stability. In January this year, the OEWG Chair published the Zero Draft of its mandated Report, based on those important conversations.
Following the success of the Intersessional Multi-Stakeholder Meeting in 2019 and the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Virtual Dialogue Series in December 2020, we want to engage the multi-stakeholder community again to discuss the latest draft. The consultations, taking place on 25th February (8am-Noon EST), will provide an opportunity for non-governmental organizations to highlight their views to government representatives ahead of the next round of discussions, and will focus on each of the six topics that the report touches on.
22 Feb, 2021
Online
First Open Consultations and Multistakeholder Advisory Group Meeting (MAG)
In response to input from the IGF community a call for issues was launched in December 2020 with a deadline of 31 January 2021. Over 230 responses produced a set of issues. Some were indeed specific which is what was hoped for. These were clustered into seven areas and then prioritised by the MAG. After reviewing the issues and following the goals for a more focused IGF, it was decided on two main focus areas and four cross-cutting and emerging issue areas. This ‘issue-driven’ approach allowed to work with fewer issues treated in greater depth.
Following the advice of the MAG Working Group on IGF Strengthening and Strategy, that the “greater impact can be achieved by dealing with fewer policy issues in greater depth, making sure that relevant stakeholders participate in discussing these issues, and that the outcomes of the discussions are communicated effectively and strategically”, the issue-driven approach is expected to facilitate the creation of more focused and structured IGF outputs, including the “key messages”.
The MAG identified two 'baskets of issues': a ‘main focus area’ with only two issue areas, and an ‘emerging and cross cutting issue’ basket with four issue areas. This is intended to enable a more focused IGF, while at the same time keeping the IGF open for new and emerging issues and to give participants choice. A rough allocation of time/percentage of sessions has been proposed for each basket but MAG members felt that allocation within each basket should be flexible. A final decision on allocation of time/sessions can be made at a later stage, taking the quality and nature of proposals into account.
Organisers of the High-level Leaders and Parliamentary Tracks will be invited to also focus on these issue areas. NRIs, BPFs, DCs and PNs will also be invited to consider addressing these issues.
2021 IGF Main focus areas (outcome focused) with 60% estimated time allocation
- Economic and social inclusion and human rights
- Universal access and meaningful connectivity
2021 IGF Emerging and Cross-cutting issues (discussion driven) with 40% estimated time allocation
- Emerging regulation: market structure, content, data and consumer/users rights regulation
- Environmental sustainability and climate change
- Inclusive IG ecosystems and digital cooperation
- Trust, security, stability
19 Feb, 2021
Washington, DC, United States
TPRC48: Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy
Every year, TPRC brings together a diverse, international group of researchers from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations to challenge each other’s ideas and to interact with policy makers and members of the private sector. The conference format consists of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper presentations, all with audience interaction.
16 Feb, 2021
Online
The sub-Saharan African cybersecurity ‘parabellum’ – User Data Protection & Privacy
A C3SA - GCSCC - OCSC Constellation webinar - to show interest, send email to: c3sa@uct.ac.za
