The future of responsible state behaviour in a fragmented cyber capacity ecosystem

On 13 May, in light of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (OEWG) Intersessional meetings, the EUISS organised an event titled ‘The future of responsible state behaviour in a fragmented cyber capacity ecosystem’ in New York. 

The two-decade-long debates in the UN fora on cybersecurity in the context of international security have clearly demonstrated that cyber capacity building is a key pillar in the framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. The international community has rallied behind cyber capacity building as the main cooperation modality to support States in meeting their international commitments and safely and securely harnessing the benefits of digital technologies.

The evolution of the cyber capacity-building ecosystem has led to the emergence of diverse communities and stakeholders with unique perspectives, expertise, and cultures. For all the positive developments fostered by and within this ecosystem, however, there remain challenges linked to cyber capacity building, including effective coordination. It is essential to consider and strategise future trajectories of the cyber capacity-building ecosystem, taking into account the rich diversity of global efforts. Sharing and understanding the success stories of demand-driven capacity building is key to this process. Future trajectories will need to recognise the capacity-building coordination that takes place on multiple levels and leverage this structural subsidiarity to benefit all stakeholders.

Against this backdrop, the event addressed two key questions to reflect on the progress achieved by cyber capacity-building efforts and initiatives to date and look ahead:

• How might the evolution of the cyber capacity-building ecosystem influence the effectiveness of efforts in the field?
• What are the possible pathways moving forward and which of them could ensure best results globally?

The event was co-sponsored by the EUISS, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).