lighting, Diplomacy

Competence building for cyberpeace

09 November 2016 -

WMO Building, Geneva

Event description

Logo, Text, Nature, Outdoors, Sea, Water

Cyberspace has become an essential component of modern society, yet its merits are accompanied by threats. Join us on Wednesday, 9th November for a discussion on what is needed to maintain a peaceful cyberspace in our Geneva Peace Week event on competence building for cyberpeace.

Competence building for cyberpeace

Wednesday, 9th November | 13:00-15:00 CET (12:00-14:00 UTC)

Vieira de Mello Auditorium | WMO Building


The defense from cyberattacks requires not only cutting-edge IT skills, but also a solid understanding of the legal and regulatory environment, international relations and diplomacy, and economic and institutional risks. Competences for cybersecurity are a prerequisite for peace, especially when it comes to protecting the critical infrastructure and enabling international cooperation in preventing and responding to cyber-incidents. 

DiploFoundation’s 2016 study Cybersecurity Competence Building Trends analysed the experiences from several OECD member states that have systematically advanced cyber competence building. The study underlined the importance of cross-professional collaboration and public-private partnerships.

This session will discuss cyber competence building trends, concrete efforts to advance cyberpeace, and challenges ahead for short- and long-term prospects. Join us for the discussion on what is needed to maintain a peaceful cyberspace, and learn about what can be done from a range of different perspectives.

Confirmed panellists:

  • Dr Daniel Stauffacher, President of the ICT4Peace Foundation
  • Ms Despoina Sareidaki, ICT Policy Analyst, Cybersecurity and Internet Policy, International Telecommunications Union
  • Mr David Rüfenacht, Analyst at MELANI and co-author of Cybersecurity Competence Building Trends

Moderator: Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation, and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform

This event is organised in the context of the Geneva Peace Week. To tweet, please use the hashtag #GVAPeaceWeek and #theGIP.