Cybersecurity Week 2024: Why is cybersecurity important for organisations in Peace and Justice?

The Humanity Hub took part in the Cybersecurity Week 2024,? in which The Hague brought digital security into the spotlight, giving practitioners and organisations the opportunity to network, meet key players, discuss the latest developments, share knowledge and create awareness.? Our colleagues Marcela Rocha F. Neves (Community Programming Manager) and Katsiaryna Pushkarova (Junior Researcher and Projects Coordinator) gives a summary of their participation in this blog.??

Although cybersecurity is still often seen as a niche topic, conferences like Beyond 125 and the ONE Conference are making significant strides in broadening the conversation and raising cyber awareness in everyday life.?

The Cybersecurity Week was filled with both official and side events, designed to bring together organizations and practitioners to exchange knowledge and engage on key issues. While we couldn’t attend every session, we’ve provided an overview of the most impactful discussions below.?

We extend our gratitude to our partners for enabling our participation in these important conversations and for helping us link the peace and justice agenda with cybersecurity. Collective action is essential, both in The Hague and beyond.?

30th September – Beyond 125 Conference @ Peace Palace?

We kicked off Cybersecurity Week with the Beyond 125 Conference, organized by the CyberPeace Institute , The Common Good Cyber, and the Municipality of The Hague . This event provided an ideal entry point into the realm of cybersecurity, bringing together like-minded individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the digital security needs of organizations worldwide.?

The organizers presented cybersecurity as a common good, framing the discussions around three key themes: identifying vulnerabilities, showcasing existing solutions, and looking to the future to create the world we want.

Read more about the Beyond 125 Action Plan ??

Securing the ‘Common Good Cyber’ as an Enabler for Peace and Justice?

This panel identified main gaps for bridging the cyber vulnerabilities faced by NGOs, which are due to capability, capacity and collaboration .?

The Humanity Hub’s contribution to bridging the identified gaps was distilled into three key aspects: continuity, trust, and decodifying. Panelists also emphasized the need for greater collaboration and support from the private sector. Based on our experience at the Humanity Hub, the path forward involves persistence and clear communication, especially in raising awareness among nonprofits.?

Fireside Chat – Supporting the “Common Good Cyber” ?

This chat featured insights from supply-side experts, with Kathryn Jones emphasizing the threats faced by civil society regarding their inclusion in major discussions. She highlighted the crucial distinction between national security and community security, while also addressing the UK FCDO’s efforts to defend democracy in various political contexts. The conversation underscored the need for systemic solutions to ensure a secure digital future for all.?

ONE Conference 2024 Overview?

The ONE Conference 2024 brought together over 1,500 professionals from the private and public sectors, academia, and civil society organizations. Dynamic host Irene Rompa facilitated networking among participants already during the opening ceremony. Research conducted in preparation for the conference identified five emerging themes of significance to this community:?

Recent cybersecurity incidents and their impact on our daily lives?

The evolving geopolitical landscape and the complexities of international relations?

The NIS2 Directive and its implications for Dutch organizations?

The growing talent shortage in the sector due to increased demand?

The impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity?

Deputy Mayor Saskia Bruines opened the discussions by emphasizing that The Hague is not only the city of peace and justice but also a hub for security.?

October 1st – Cyber Volunteering Session @ World Forum?

This session aimed to highlight that while much of cybersecurity protection focuses on critical infrastructure, civil society is often disproportionately affected by hacks and attacks. By identifying and showcasing successful global solutions, the panel encouraged more organizations to participate in efforts to transfer cyber knowledge directly to communities facing cyber insecurity.?

October 1st – Crisis Simulation Exercise @ The Hague Humanity Hub?

As part of the Cyber Resilience for NGOs (CR4NGOs) initiative, The Hague Humanity Hub and the CyberPeace Institute hosted a tabletop crisis simulation exercise designed to enhance NGOs’ response plans. This highly interactive session empowered staff with critical guiding questions for managing internal and external communications during a cyberattack or hack.?

Given that many nonprofits experience cyberattacks in the real world, CyberPeace Institute experts stressed the importance of establishing a clear response plan within every organization. This involves effective communication, managing stakeholder responses, and maintaining trust within affected communities, which is just as crucial as addressing the technical aspects of a crisis. Participants were advised to reference the ICRC’s public statement regarding their experience with cyberattacks as a case study in crisis management.?

“There was something about the man-made panic that the CyberPeace colleagues created in the room that really tested your responses. I found myself blanking on what I thought were the obvious response steps.”?

Marcela Neves?

“This interactive simulation really put everyone in the shoes of someone suddenly struck by an unexpected cyber threat, which truly made you feel the importance of putting effort into building solid response strategies, and, most importantly, cyber awareness and resilience within all the staff.”

Katsiaryna Pushkarova

October 2nd – Panel Discussion: Building Cybersecurity for a Vulnerable Sector: A Multistakeholder Approach?

This panel gathered leaders from nonprofit organizations focusing on addressing the cybersecurity awareness and infrastructure gaps for NGOs in The Hague and beyond. Francesca Bosco from the CyberPeace Institute highlighted that, according to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, NGOs are the most targeted sector.?

Reflecting on the year since the launch of CyberSecure The Hague at the ONE Conference in 2023, Francesca emphasized the critical need for communication to raise awareness of the vulnerabilities faced by nonprofits and to empower them with tailored, effective support. Raymond from connect2trust underscored the ongoing efforts in The Hague and beyond to secure the ecosystem, advocating for a shift in mindset from cybersecurity to cyber resilience. He noted that the strength of an ecosystem relies on its weakest link, urging staff across organizations to incorporate digital security principles into their daily activities to protect the sustainability of their work.?

To illustrate the journey of NGOs benefiting from tailored support, Martin Grisel , Director of the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN), shared the steps his organization took to enhance its cybersecurity. He highlighted how his team recognized previously taken-for-granted aspects and incorporated new agenda points into their project activities to safeguard not only their organization but also their partners. Martin provided an empowering firsthand account of a journey that will continue beyond the life of individual projects.?

Conclusion?

Overall, participating in the Cybersecurity Week 2024 offered a valuable opportunity to gain new insights into cybersecurity, share experiences, and learn about the various approaches stakeholders are taking toward common digital goals. Making cyberspace safe and secure for all, particularly for vulnerable organizations and communities lacking essential skills and awareness of cyber threats, remains a top priority for the expert community. In light of the newly introduced Beyond 125 Action Plan, the international community’s commitment to pursuing these objectives and redefining cyberspace for everyone’s benefit instils hope for the future.

We look forward to witnessing further progress in this field and even more fruitful collaborations ahead!

If you want to learn more about the cybersecurity landscape in the NGO sector in the Netherlands, stay tuned for the launch of the CYBER RESILIENCE FOR NGOs REPORT on November 27 at the Humanity Hub.

Info: https://www.humanityhub.net/calendar/cyber-resilience-for-ngos-report-launch/

For more information about the Humanity Hub's digitalisation programmes, check out our website: https://www.humanityhub.net/digitalisation/