GLOBSEC 18 to Host the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace

GLOBSEC is delighted to announce that it has begun cooperation with The Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC). In doing so, it becomes the first Central European organisation to commit to The Hague-based initiative’s efforts to develop norms and policies that enhance cybersecurity and stability.

Over the past two decades, the peaceful use of cyberspace for economic growth and expansion of individual freedoms has been compromised by some well-documented offensive cyber operations. Finding the perpetrators and preventing further attacks has also been complicated by a convoluted approach to governance and a general reluctance to take responsibility for safeguarding cyberspace. The GCSC seeks to counter these developments with research, dialogue and policy proposals that foster a coherent approach to cybersecurity.

GLOBSEC now joins The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies and EastWest Institute in supporting an expert panel of commissioners that bring considerable experience, resources and technical know-how to the table. These include the GCSC’s Co-Chairs: the former Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand; India’s former Deputy National Security Advisor Latha Reddy; and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. The Commission is also supported by partners from the public and private sectors, including Microsoft and the Dutch and French governments.

‘’Joining such an esteemed group of organisations and individuals shows just how far we’ve come in the past few years,” says GLOBSEC President Robert Vass. ‘’GLOBSEC is proud to be part of a global network committed to confronting the global challenge of securing cyberspace.’’

The Bratislava-based think tank and event organiser will build on its new partnership with the GCSC by making cybersecurity one of the main topics for discussion at this year’s GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum. Alongside talks in the main halls and sideline events, GLOBSEC will also host a public hearing where business people, journalists and others can listen to and engage with Commission members on the cutting edge of cybersecurity policy and strategy. Key talking points include: protecting the public core of the internet; the future of norms of responsible state and non-state behaviour in cyberspace; and the long-term strategic vision for the international cybersecurity architecture.

Since its inception in 2017, the Commission has held meetings on the sidelines of the biggest cybersecurity conferences in the world such as CyCon (Talinn) and Black Hat USA. Through its various meetings in Bratislava, the GCSC will be furthering its work on a Call to Action to protect the public core of the internet. According to the Commission’s recommendations, without prejudice to their rights and obligations, state and non-state actors should not conduct or knowingly allow activity that intentionally and substantially damages the general availability or integrity of the public core of the internet, and therefore the, stability of cyberspace.

In a closed session, the GCSC will build on the agenda discussed at the last Commission meeting in January 2018. Talking points include: protecting electoral systems; reducing the danger from technical vulnerabilities in information and communications technology; and further defining the elements of the public core of the Internet. The results of this work will guide the next round of deliberations of the GCSC.

‘’GLOBSEC is committed to facilitating the free exchange of dialogue on ideas shaping the world,’’ added Vass. ‘’We all have a vested interest in cybersecurity for the global good. While hosting the GCSC certainly puts Bratislava on the cybersecurity map, GLOBSEC also looks forward to making Central European voices heard on this most pressing security challenge.’’

For information on the work of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC) please contact: Louk Faesen, Project Manager of the GCSC Secretariat, loukfaesen@hcss.nl or Abagail Lawson, Program Coordinator, EastWest Insitute, alawson@eastwest.ngo

If you’d like to talk to key members of the GLOBSEC Policy Institute on cybersecurity or related issues, please contact: Adam Dempsey, Director of Media and Communication, Tel. +421 904 869 171, adam.dempsey@globsec.org