The rapid rise of a cross-border digital realm has been an incredible enabler for countries and citizens worldwide – be it in the economic, political or social sphere. Nowadays, digital technologies already provide billions of people with an access to basic services such as healthcare, education, banking or even government-related services, therefore contributing to raising the development level of the countries they are deployed in. Upcoming new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) or Internet of Things (IoT), increase the potential that digital transformation entails. Due to their cross-sectoral character digital tools can transform an economy and a society more deeply and more quickly than previously, making them particularly suited for contributing to the fulfilment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Cyberspace therefore provides a necessary platform for spreading innovation, fostering economic growth, and empowering citizens. However, the increasing number and variety of challenges linked with the development of cyberspace should not be overlooked. The devastating global impact of cyber-attacks - such as NotPetya - warrants a stronger international cooperation in building cyber resilience.

Bolstering the debate on reinforcing cyber capacities in developing countries is in the common interest. Our first CYBERSEC for Development working session will widely discuss the possibilities to support capability building through best practices sharing and know-how transfer between public as well as private actors. It will bring together government representatives, law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity experts and companies who will share and exchange practices and experiences related with digital transformation and cyber capacity building. The objective of CYBERSEC for Development is to foster and support cybersecurity capability building efforts undertaken around the world by providing countries with a platform to exchange ideas, learn from mutual experiences, and discover emerging technical and regulatory tools and solutions developed by both the public and private sectors.

The CYBERSEC for Development side session will take place on 29 October from 14:45 to 16:45 in room 7

1. Presentations
• Digitalisation – opportunities for development (10 min)
Małgorzata Rychlik – Business Fundraising Coordinator, UNICEF Poland National Committee

• The role of Public - Private cooperation in building a strong network of ecosystems (10 min)
Bruno Halopeau – Head of Cyber Resilience, Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

• Stocktaking of the cybersecurity state of play among regions and countries
Oleh Derevianko - Expert, High-Tech Office of Ukraine; Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Information Systems Security Partners (10 min)
National Agency for Information Society of Albania representative (TBC)

• Driving change that matters (10 min)
Michael Bem – Executive Director, CISO, UBS

2. Roundtable discussion: Cybersecurity capacity building in practice – Inspiration and lessons learnt from case studies and success stories (50 min)
moderator: Jean-Christophe Le Toquin – President, Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Advisors Network (CyAN)

3. Open discussion and exchange time between all participants