IGF 2023 main session on the urgent need for cybersecurity, trust, and online safety

The Main Session on Cybersecurity, Trust, and Safety Online at the IGF 2023 brought together experts and leaders from various fields to discuss critical issues in the realm of online security. The session featured a range of speakers who shared their insights and recommendations on addressing the challenges associated with cybersecurity and ensuring trust and safety in the digital environment.

Fostering global-national collaboration

Olga Cavalli, Argentina’s National Director of Cybersecurity, stressed the need to enhance the link between global initiatives and national regulations and activities related to cybersecurity. She highlighted the role of the IGF as a platform for multistakeholder discussions on cybersecurity initiatives. According to Cavalli, the IGF serves as a vital space for ministers, industry experts, and civil society representatives to engage in discussions and exchange ideas on cybersecurity.

Balancing security and privacy

EFF Policy Director for Global Privacy, Katitza Rodriguez, raised concerns about the UN Cybercrime Treaty, noting that it focuses primarily on enhancing law enforcement powers, potentially undermining privacy rights. She emphasised the importance of strengthening systems and networks at a technical level, encouraging secure software development, and protecting the work of security researchers. Rodriguez also highlighted the need for consistent privacy protections across different countries and the role of companies in upholding human rights.

Legitimacy of cyber offensive capabilities

As a Vice Minister of Communications of Cuba, Ernesto Rodriguez Hernandez highlighted the increasing concern surrounding cyber offensive capabilities and their legitimacy as part of national security strategies. He emphasised the potential implications and consequences of using force in response to cyberattacks. Rodriguez Hernandez also discussed the misuse of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and media platforms for unlawful activities, which can lead to international conflicts. Hernandez advised that to address these challenges, countries should commit to utilising ICTs for peaceful purposes, supporting cooperation and progress.

Protecting children in the digital environment

Elizaveta Belyakova, Chairperson from Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment, addressed the critical issue of protecting children from cybersecurity threats and cybercrime. She highlighted the formation of the Russian Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment and the commitments made by BRICS countries to create a safe digital environment for children. Belyakova also expressed concerns about the sexual exploitation and abuse of children online, calling for data exchange and cooperation to combat these threats.

Cybersecurity challenges in West Africa

Program Officer for Internet and Cybersecurity at the ECOWAS Commission, Folake Olagunju discussed the cybersecurity challenges faced by West African countries. She emphasised the lack of national and regional coordination to combat cyber threats, insufficient resource allocation, and the weak critical infrastructure in the region. Olagunju also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of cybersecurity and the need for capacity development and private sector involvement in addressing these challenges. She emphasised the significance of sharing data to enhance child safety and bolster cybersecurity on a broader scale.

Cybercrime negotiations and stakeholder involvement

Christopher Painter, Director of GFCE Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, noted the need for expertise in cybercrime negotiations and the involvement of stakeholders outside of government. He highlighted the urgency of addressing cybercrime as a pressing global challenge and the importance of sustained attention to cybersecurity. Painter also discussed the challenges policymakers face in understanding technical issues and the need for effective communication. The analysis also recognises capacity development as a crucial element, underscoring that countries, particularly those in the developing world, need support in addressing cybersecurity challenges, crafting national strategies, forming emergency response teams, and implementing international standards and regulations. The assessment commends the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise for coordinating global capacity-building initiatives.

Key takeaways

During the session, the audience actively participated in discussions. Several key takeaways emerged, including the importance of utilising emerging technologies for cybersecurity, the need for a legally binding instrument to govern responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, and the significance of knowledge-sharing and solar technology in addressing cybersecurity challenges. The audience also stressed the importance of equal participation in multilateral meetings, collective action among nations, and resource allocation in developing countries to enhance cybersecurity measures.

In conclusion, the Main Session on Cybersecurity, Trust, and Safety Online at IGF 2023 provided a platform for in-depth discussions on critical cybersecurity issues. The speakers and audience participants highlighted the complexity of the challenges and the need for collaborative, practical, and multistakeholder approaches to ensure cybersecurity, trust, and online safety in the digital age.