Cyberspace constitutes a complex environment. It encompasses not only the Internet or mobile phones but a whole range of critical infrastructure, vital for the well-functioning of a society. These new tools are offering infinite opportunities for information sharing and gathering, democratic participation, and eventually furthered human development.
However, the increased reliance on them has led to new challenges and vulnerabilities. Malicious operations, taking various forms, are increasing. States are facing difficulties in adopting existing legislation to these new challenges. As a result, democratic oversight is often very challenging. Cyberspace requires cooperation between States, international organisations, business entities and individuals in order to achieve an open, secure and peaceful cyberspace, where the rule of law and human rights are respected and protected.
This event was an opportunity to analyse the current challenges to peace and security in cyberspace and offered an overview of the current debate.
Moderator: Anne-Marie Buzatu, Head of the Public-Private Partnerships Division at DCAF
Panellists:
Nils Melzer, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Reto Haeni, Microsoft Switzerland
Jovan Kurbalija, DiploFoundation
Gustav Lindstrom, Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GSCP)