Building and ensuring trust in Cyberspace has been in the latest years at the very top of the global agenda, galvanizing global discussions and reinforcing collaboration among the various stakeholders.
In the wake of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, a universal and affordable access to ICTs was clearly recognized as pivotal for bringing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda forward. However increasing access alone would not be complete, let alone sustainable, without ensuring an adequate level of security, based on which newly connected communities could benefit and thrive.
The WSIS Outcome Review Process, which culminated in the adoption of the “Outcome document of the High-Level meeting of the General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society” in December 2015, reiterated the importance of Building Confidence and Security in the use of ICTs. It further recognized the challenges that States, in particular developing countries, face in building confidence and security and called for renewed focus in capacity building, and awareness raising among users of ICTs, particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable.
Capacity building programmes and initiatives can thus be best leveraged to ensure a smooth and secure transition to a digital ecosystem, as a road to sustainable socioeconomic development. This session brings together various stakeholders to elaborate on how a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy at an early connectivity stage is an essential first step for a successful transition, and what the role of the different players can be in that process.