A Comprehensive Approach to Cyber Security: Exploring the Future OSCE Role

This conference will study the way forward for the OSCE in handling the challenges arising from cyber security issues. The event will be conducted in two parts:

Part 1 will showcase and raise awareness of various threats to cyber security related to (a) the politico-military domain, including critical infrastructures and the nature and possible extent of norms of behaviour in cyberspace; and (b) cybercrime and terrorist use of the Internet, highlighting potential countermeasures, lessons learned and national best practices, also with regard to investigation and prosecution, the development of public-private partnerships and effective involvement of civil society.

Part 2 will then focus on potential responses to cyber threats and consideration for developing norms of State behaviour that can contribute to cyber security as well as measures that reduce misperception and risk, including confidence-building, relevant human rights considerations, stability and risk-reduction measures, and information exchanges, for example on pertinent legal frameworks. It will highlight developments and initiatives at the global and regional level, particularly on the role of other regional organizations operating in the OSCE area.

The closing session will look forward to the potential future role of the OSCE and, specifically, whether and how initiatives on the global and regional level might be further enhanced by the OSCE, including through capacity-building measures, and which potential gaps OSCE initiatives might fill in light of recommendations made by the pertinent United Nations Group of Governmental Experts.

For more information, including on possible participation, please contact the conference facilitators at atu@osce.org.