4 Apr, 2023
Geneva & Online, Switzerland
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour
Subsea communications cables are an essential element of the information and communications technology ecosystem, transmitting practically all our telecommunications and data. Their security and resilience are critical to the well-being and functioning of societies across the globe, and to international security and stability. While technological innovation is enabling faster and more widespread connectivity, the global network of subsea communications cables is facing continuous physical and cyber threats, requiring urgent policy and operational responses involving both State and non-State actors.
To further unpack this complex issue and support more specific discussions and actions aimed at ensuring the protection of this critical information infrastructure, UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue that also served as a platform for the launch of the new UNIDIR report Wading Murky Waters: Subsea Communications Cables and Responsible State Behaviour.
A recording of the event is available on UNIDIR’s YouTube Channel or below.
Programme:
10:00 – 10:10 Welcome remarks
Ms Manon Le Blanc, Head of the Cyber Policy Sector, European External Action Service (EEAS)
Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of Programme, Security and Technology, UNIDIR
10:10 – 10:30 Presentation of the UNIDIR Study on Subsea Communications Cables
Dr Camino Kavanagh, Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of War Studies, King’s College London and Non-Resident Scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
10:30 – 11:20 Session 1: Threats and Vulnerabilities affecting Subsea Cable Systems* (Moderated by Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, UNIDIR)
11:20 – 11:40 Coffee break
11:40 – 12:30 Session 2: Subsea Cable Governance and Policy Responses* (Moderated by Dr Camino Kavanagh, King’s College London and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
*Sessions 1 and 2 will consist of expert discussions. The list of discussants includes:
Mr Kent Bressie, International Law Adviser, International Cable Protection Committee
Ms Sandra Delany, General Counsel, Aqua Comms
Dr Tobias Liebetrau, Centre for Military Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen
Mr Pavel Mraz, Senior Project Manager, Digital Diplomacy, Microsoft
Dr Towela Nyirenda-Jere, Head of the Economic Integration Division, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD)
Dr Amreesh Phokeer, Internet Measurement and Data Expert, Internet Society, Mauritius
Ms Noëlle Van der Waag-Cowling, Cyber Program Lead, Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA)
Mr Simon Webster, Director, Submarine Networks, NEC Corporation
Participants:
Delegations, cyber experts as well as members of the multistakeholder community including industry, civil society, and intergovernmental organizations. Geneva-based representatives and experts were encouraged to attend the multi-stakeholder dialogue in person.
February 25, 2024 - February 26, 2024
Singapore
Critical Technology Standards for fighting transnational organized crime in Southeast Asia
The Global Forum on Cyber Expertise Southeast Asia Hub (GFCE SEA) played a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by transnational organized crime in the digital sphere. The “Critical Technology Standards in Combatting Transnational Organized Crime” conference was held on February 26 and 27, 2024 at the Hilton, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was organized by Lydekker, with support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (AU DFAT). The organizer brought together experts to discuss key topics including Cybersecurity Standards, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Cybersecurity emerged as a paramount concern during the conference, as experts delved into the importance of establishing robust standards to protect digital infrastructures against sophisticated cyber threats. With cybercrime transcending borders, the adoption of standardized cybersecurity measures becomes essential for fostering collaboration and information sharing among nations in Southeast Asia.
Artificial Intelligence also garnered significant attention, with discussions revolving around its potential in combating organized crime. The conference highlighted AI-driven technologies' capacity to enhance predictive analytics, threat detection, and law enforcement capabilities. However, participants also emphasized the necessity of ethical guidelines and responsible AI governance to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.
The Internet of Things (IoT) was another critical focus area, with experts examining its dual role as both an asset and a potential vulnerability in the fight against transnational crime. While IoT technologies offer unprecedented convenience and efficiency, they also introduce new avenues for exploitation by cybercriminals. Establishing standardized protocols for securing IoT devices and networks emerged as a pressing priority to mitigate risks and safeguard critical infrastructure.
In addition to discussing these vital topics, GFCE SEA took the opportunity to introduce participants to its clearing house and outlined its mandate to assist member countries in addressing cyber threats. As a collaborative platform, GFCE SEA serves as a focal point for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and technical assistance, empowering member countries to enhance their cyber resilience and response capabilities.
The attendance of GFCE SEA at the Critical Technology Standards conference underscores the importance of international cooperation and coordination in combatting transnational organized crime.
26 Feb, 2024
Online
CERT NZ – Own Your Online: Online Security Basics for Business
Are you a business owner wanting to know where to start with your online security?
Join us for an interactive webinar as we unravel the world of online security - in a way that's approachable and tailored for your small business.
What to Expect?
• Understanding the Basics: We'll break down those online security concepts that can often seem a bit tricky, into simple digestible bits, ensuring that you grasp the fundamentals without the technical jargon.
• Exposing Online Threats: We'll explore common online threats without the intimidation factor. Learn how to identify and address potential risks to keep your business secure.
• Practical Tips for Business Owners: We'll talk about best practices and what actionable steps you can take to keep your business secure.
• Interactive Q&A Session: Have burning questions or want us to dive into certain areas? Our experts will be on hand to provide their insights and guidance, to make sure you leave with a clearer understanding of online security for your business.
Why Attend?
Cyber-attacks on businesses are continuing to rise. Whether your business is big or small, learn about protections you need in place to keep your data, networks, customer information, and your reputation secure.
26 Feb, 2024
Washington & Online, United States
The Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) at 10
February 2024 marks the 10th year anniversary of the publication of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publication of the inaugural Cybersecurity Framework. After extensive consultation with industry experts, academics, civil society leaders, and global partners, NIST is preparing to release Version 2.0 of the CSF, along with a suite of new supplementary resources – like online tools, implementation examples, and quick start guides to help organizations reduce their cybersecurity risks.
During the session, attendees will also hear from the NIST leaders who drove both the original CSF and the forthcoming Version 2.0, Adam Sedgewick and Cherilyn Pascoe. Finally, industry leaders and experts will talk about the process and how they see the new CSF impacting their cybersecurity and that of the nation as a whole.
21st February - 1st March 2024
Bangkok, Thailand
APRICOT – APNIC 57
Asia Pacific's largest international Internet conference, the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Conference on Operational Technologies (APRICOT) is a ten-day summit consists of seminars, workshops, tutorials, conference sessions, birds-of-a-feather (BOFs), and other forums with the goal of spreading and sharing the knowledge required to operate the internet within the Asia Pacific region.
10 May, 2024
New York, United States
OEWG Global Roundtable on ICT security capacity-building
This event is set to feature two panels on key focus areas and strengthening the global capacity building agenda, as well as breakout groups focusing on specific capacity-building thematic areas.
The roundtable is designed to be an action-oriented platform involving capacity-building practitioners, state representatives, and stakeholders. The aim is to enable stakeholders to discuss and exchange views; showcase national, regional, subregional, and cross-regional initiatives; encourage the sharing of information and best practices; promote learning from national strategies; and catalyse the formation of partnerships. The roundtable will also be a timely opportunity to reflect on the capacity-building mapping exercise currently being carried out by the UN Secretariat and to identify potential gaps in the existing global capacity-building landscape.
Organisation
19 Mar, 2024
Brussels, Belgium
11th Annual European Cyber Security Conference
The 11th Annual European Cyber Security Conference will gather policymakers, industry players, high level cyber security and defence experts to explore Europe’s response to cyber and hybrid security issues in what has become a dynamically evolving global risk landscape.
A key component of this event for cyber capacity building practitioners is that a key theme of the day will be the importance of strengthening Cyber Security Cooperation Mechanisms by boosting collaboration, between Member States and with allies, in cybersecurity, defence, and diplomacy.
Organisation
20 Feb, 2024
Online
Mainstreaming Cybersecurity in the Development Agenda of Latin America and the Caribbean (English & Spanish)
This webinar aims to bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss and raise awareness about the significance of cybersecurity as an integral part of the Latin American and Caribbean region's digital growth. More broadly, the compendium aims to develop a comprehensive reference document that outlines practical approaches, lessons learned, and actionable strategies for integrating cybersecurity capacity-building into broader digital development efforts. It acts as a tangible outcome of cross-sectoral collaborative efforts, fostering a shared vision among stakeholders and shaping future international deliberations on cyber capacity building and digital development.
Este seminario web tiene como objetivo reunir a expertos, profesionales y formuladores de políticas para discutir y crear conciencia sobre la importancia de la ciberseguridad como parte integral del crecimiento digital de la región de América Latina y el Caribe. En términos más generales, el compendio tiene como objetivo desarrollar un documento de referencia integral que describa enfoques prácticos, lecciones aprendidas y estrategias viables para integrar el desarrollo de capacidades en ciberseguridad en esfuerzos más amplios de desarrollo digital. Actúa como un resultado tangible de esfuerzos de colaboración intersectorial, fomentando una visión compartida entre las partes interesadas y dando forma a futuras deliberaciones internacionales sobre el desarrollo de capacidades cibernéticas y el desarrollo digital.
29th February - 1st March
Hybrid (New York and Online), United States
2024 Cyber Stability Conference (CS24)
Under the title titled “Unpacking Cyber Threats to International Peace and Security” UNIDIR will soon organise the the 2024 Cyber Stability Conference (CS24).
To facilitate focused future deliberations and contribute to the advancement of multilateral negotiations, CS24 will focus on three key threat dimensions: technology, type of attacks and threat actors. Each dimension will be discussed in-depth from a technical perspective as well as in relation to how it may impact the implementation of the framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.
For the detailed agenda of this event, please follow the link to the right.
30 Apr, 2024
Oxford, United Kingdom
GCSCC 10th Anniversary Conference Oxford
Taking place in Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, on 30 April, 2024, this year's Conference marks the GCSCC’s 10th anniversary!
The conference will bring together key stakeholders of the global cybersecurity capacity building community to discuss the latest challenges, practices and trends.
The conference is by invitation only.
26th-27th February 2024
Washington DC, United States
Common Good Cyber Workshop
The workshop aspires to kickstart a vital initiative by nurturing a shared understanding of the issue at hand and cultivating a community united in its commitment to address it. The goal is to take concrete steps to collectively address the challenge by working on “what can we do now” and “what can we enable” in the long-term. The primary objectives include a comprehensive examination of past successes and failures, generating innovative solutions (e.g. joint fund, blended finance models, etc), and prioritizing those with significant potential for impact to move forward.
Organisation
8th-12th July 2024
New York, United States
Eight substantive session: Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies
13th-15th May 2024
New York, United States
(Intersessional) meeting of the OEWG on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies
4th-8th March 2024
New York, United States
Seventh substantive session: Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies
23rd-24th April 2024
European Cyber Agora
The European Cyber Agora Conference returns in 2024 with a renewed commitment to fostering cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration in the face of evolving digital challenges. Building on the successes of previous years, this conference stands as a pivotal platform for addressing the pressing issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and geopolitics.
