ABOUT
The Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace aims to map the roles and responsibilities of actors – states, the business sector, civil society, and the academic and tech communities – in contributing to greater security and stability in cyberspace in the context of international peace and security; identify good practices and possible gaps in existing efforts; and, ideally put forward recommendations for overcoming such gaps.
Currently in its second phase, the dialogue will focus on the roles and responsibilities of the business sector. The project aims to: convene global business sector actors to discuss responsible behaviour in cyberspace; assist the business sector to develop its capacities to understand, follow, and meaningfully contribute to international policy and diplomatic processes; and, facilitate dialogue among global businesses towards shaping principles and an action plan contributing to the global efforts at the UN and elsewhere.
The second phase of the dialogue is led by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and implemented by DiploFoundation.
In its first phase, the dialogue analysed the roles and responsibilities of states, industry actors, civil society, and academic and tech communities in contributing to greater security and stability in cyberspace. The first phase was led by the FDFA in co-operation with the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), ETH Zurich, and the University of Lausanne. The first phase resulted in the Final Report, supported by the Baseline Research and the draft Framework Documents.
TIMELINE OF THE DIALOGUE
Background research and framing of the discussion
(June – September 2018)
A series of online and in situ discussions and knowledge exchange activities
(September – November 2018)
Expert Workshop in Geneva
(on 1 and 2 November 2018)
Development and presentation of Final Documents
(December 2018)
Second phase
(December 2019 – December 2020)
Geneva Dialogue was present at the following international events:
Paris, France
Bern, Switzerland
Framework documents
Baseline study
Fact Sheet
Final Report
OUTPUTS
Documents
Framework documents
- Geneva Dialogue – Role of the private sector
- Geneva Dialogue – Role of the civil society
Final Report
- Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace – Final Report
Baseline study
- Geneva Dialogue – Baseline study
Webinars
Webinar on the role of the private sector towards a peaceful cyberspace
The Geneva Internet Platform organised a webinar titled ‘What is the role of the private sector towards a peaceful cyberspace?’ within the framework of the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behavior in Cyberspace. The webinar is the third in a series within the project, and reflected on what the role of the private sector is in ensuring international peace and security through responsible behaviour in cyberspace. Read the full report from the webinar here.
Webinar on the role of civil society and communities towards a peaceful cyberspace
The Geneva Internet Platform organised a webinar titled ‘What is the role of civil society and communities towards a peaceful cyberspace?’, within the framework of the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace. The webinar was held on 7 December 2018 at 13 CET (12 GMT) and it was second in a series of webinars within the project, reflecting on what the role of civil society, academia and technical communities is in ensuring international peace and security through responsible behaviour in cyberspace. Read the full report from the webinar here.
Webinar on responsible behaviour in cyberspace
The Geneva Internet Platform organised a webinar titled ‘What is responsible behaviour in cyberspace?’ within the framework of the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace. The webinar was held on 25 October 2018 at 13 CEST (11 UTC) and was first in a series within the project, and reflected on what responsible behaviour means to various stakeholder groups. Do various stakeholders demonstrate a shared, or broadly similar understanding of ‘responsible behaviour’? Is ‘responsibility’ something to be regulated and enforced, or preferred and encouraged? Where there are differences in the understanding of ‘responsible behaviour’, are these differences of emphasis or of fundamental interpretation; are these differences compatible or incompatible? Read the full report from the webinar here.
Information session about the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace
An information session about the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace was held on 3 July 2018. During the session, Mr Adrian Junker, Deputy Head, Division for Security Policy, FDFA, introduced the background, goals, and timeframes of the dialogue and explained how stakeholders can contribute to the process.
RESOURCES
Submissions
Kavanagh, Camino and Daniel Stauffacher. A Role for Civil Society? ICTs, Norms and Confidence Building Measures in the Context of International Security. ICT4Peace Foundation, 2014.
Smith, Michael, N. “In Defense of Due Diligence in Cyberspace” in 125 Yale L.J. F. 68, 2015.
Kastelic, Andraz. “International Law of State Responsibility: Unlawful Orchestration Versus the Omission of the Duty to Prevent the Unlawful Cyber Operation,” In Compendium 2015:135-139. Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC), 2015.
Other resources
G7 Declaration on responsible states behaviour in cyberspace. 2017. Group of 7 (G7).
Establishment of a working group on cooperation and confidence-building measures in cyberspace. 2017. Organisation of American States (Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism – CICTE).
Decision No.1106. initial set of OSCE confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies. 2013. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. PC.DEC/1106.
Decision No.1202. OSCE confidence-building measures to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies. 2016. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. PC.DEC/1202.
Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. 2010. United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. A/65/201.
Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. 2013. United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. A/68/98*.
Report of the Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. A/70/174.
IoT Cybersecurity Alliance. 2017. AT&T, IBM, Nokia, Palo Alto Networks, Symantec and Trustonic.
International Cybersecurity Norms. 2016. Microsoft.
The need for a Digital Geneva Convention. 2017. Microsoft.
Cybersecurity Tech Accord. 2018. Microsoft.
Confidence-building measures in cyberspace. A multistakeholder approach for stability and security. 2014. Atlantic Council.
Rights and responsibilities in cyberspace. Balancing the need for security and liberty. 2010. East-West Institute.
Delhi communique on a GFCE global agenda for cyber capacity building. Global Forum on Cyber Expertise.
Tallinn Manual on the international law applicable to cyber warfare. 2013. NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
Risk and Responsibility in a Hyperconnected World. Pathways to Global Cyber Resilience. 2012. World Economic Forum.
PARTNERS
