From energy grids to hospital networks, the systems that sustain our lives are constantly under increasing pressure. As threats evolve, so must our defences – not just in code and hardware, but in principles and responsibility.
States have agreed on a global framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. However, agreements alone do not protect critical infrastructure. It’s time to ask the question: how do these norms move from paper to practice? Who ensures that they are upheld – not just by governments, but by the operators, engineers, developers, and researchers behind the world’s most essential systems?
This session marks the launch of Chapter II of the Geneva Manual – a milestone in defining what the UN cyber norms mean for real-world protection of critical infrastructure. Built through the Geneva Dialogue’s global community of experts, this new chapter provides practical guidance for non-state stakeholders navigating a shared, high-stakes digital environment, and highlights challenges, including for states.
Organised by the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace, the session will discuss these questions in a multistakeholder approach, engaging representatives from the private sector, academia, civil society, and technical community. Established by Switzerland in 2018 and implemented by DiploFoundation with support of the Republic and State of Geneva, C4DT, Swisscom, and UBS, the Dialogue maps the roles and responsibilities of various actors in the implementation of agreed cyber norms and thus contributes to stability and security in cyberspace. The Geneva Dialogue is a global process which engages over 50 organisations and experts representing different stakeholder groups from all over the world.
This session will provide a unique opportunity for participants to engage with thought leaders in cybersecurity and cyber diplomacy, explore best practices for CI protection, and contribute to shaping the future of global cybersecurity governance. Through an interactive and engaging format of the session, participants will also learn best practices, reflect on ideas through group work, and network by playing through an imaginary scenario.
For RSVP, please contact us at genevadialogue@diplomacy.edu.
