2018 OSCE-wide Conference on Cyber/ICT Security

This conference, organized by the Italian OSCE Chairmanship with the support of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, aims to provide a platform to exchange views and perspectives on the latest cyber/ICT security developments amongst relevant OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation and raise awareness and discuss international cyber stability measures including the OSCE cyber/ICT confidence-building measures (CBMs), as well as how they can be deployed effectively.

Through the adoption of 16 Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), the OSCE plays a unique and pioneering role in reducing the risks of conflict stemming from the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs).

Currently, a key priority for participating States is the implementation of the CBMs. To this end an Informal Working Group has intensified efforts to operationalize the CBMs, and various participating States are developing initiatives on driving implementation forward.

Complementing the work of the Informal Working Group, the conference on 28 September will seek to contribute to the “meaningful implementation” of the CBMs by offering a platform for political dialogue, academic input and private sector engagement. Specifically,

• In line with the CBM 1, the first session of the Conference will provide participating States with the opportunity to present their national views on various aspects of national and transnational threats to and in the use of ICTs. Moreover, this session will serve as a platform to exchange views on current international developments designed to promote cyber stability between States and effective ways on how the OSCE can contribute to these processes.
• The second session will discuss new and realistic paths forward, desirable goals to strive for and emerging technological features that might help to address current international cyber/ICT security challenges. The discussion will seek to address future developments for the ongoing international cyber/ICT security policy dialogue in response to the current and evolving technological landscape.
• The third session will focus on identifying innovative ways for enhancing cyber resilience through public-private partnerships, with emphasis being placed on non-traditional, cutting-edge and forward-thinking ideas. Moreover, this session will serve as a platform to discuss topics such as: working with small businesses and start-ups to more effectively improve and retain cyber/ICT security expertise; establishing secondment schemes between national agencies and cyber/ICT security companies; and filling cross-border gaps in cyber/ICT security expertise.

The conference will be preceded by a scenario-based discussion on 27 September, which will provide national delegations with an opportunity to experience and be actively involved in a simulated, escalating high-impact cyber/ICT security incident.