IGF 2024 WS #117 Building Secure Civic Communities Approach to Combat Threats

    Organizer 1: Babar Khan, 🔒

    Speaker 1: Mohsin Khan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
    Speaker 2: Tais Siqueira, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
    Speaker 3: Cathryn archibald, Civil Society, African Group

    Moderator

    Babar Khan, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group

    Online Moderator

    Babar Khan, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group

    Rapporteur

    Babar Khan, Technical Community, Asia-Pacific Group

    Format

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 60
    Format description: The roundtable setup allows participants to easily connect with each other throughout the session, facilitating networking and building valuable relationships.. Round tables encourage all participants to be involved in discussions, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative atmosphere.

    While a longer duration would certainly allow for a more in depth exploration of the topic.The workshop targets a specific issue, cyber threats against civic communities and aims to achieve clear objectives like raising awareness, showcasing solutions, and collaboration. This focused approach allows for covering the core content within a 60 minute timeframe.

    Policy Question(s)

    How can existing legal frameworks be adapted to effectively address the evolving cyber threats targeting civic communities, particularly activists and journalists, while safeguarding fundamental human rights in the digital space?

    What concrete policy measures can governments implement to incentivize technology companies to prioritize the cybersecurity needs of civil society actors and provide them with accessible and affordable security solutions?

    What multistakeholder partnerships and collaborative initiatives can be established to build the capacity of vulnerable online groups to defend themselves against cyberattacks and promote a culture of digital safety within their communities?

    What will participants gain from attending this session? This workshop promises a deep dive into the critical issue of cyber threats targeting civic communities, particularly activists and journalists. Attendees will gain a detail understanding of these threats and the unique challenges faced by vulnerable online groups. Beyond awareness, the session delves into practical solutions. Participants will discover low-cost, community-driven cybersecurity strategies that can be implemented by organizations with limited resources. This hands-on approach empowers attendees to actively contribute to building a safer digital environment.

    Collaboration is key. The workshop enhances the dialogue and engagement between diverse stakeholders, including technology companies and government agencies. This multi-sector approach equips participants with strategies to effectively collaborate and advocate for improved online safety measures through actionable policy recommendations.

    Description:

    This workshop tackles the critical issue of cyber threats against civic communities, particularly activists and journalists. The workshop will explore how to combat cyber threats faced by civic communities, particularly activists and journalists. Led by the CIVIC Digital Security Forum (CDSF), the session will feature a panel discussion with experts from diverse sectors, showcase successful case studies of securing vulnerable online groups, and engage participants in brainstorming solutions and policy recommendations. Through a multistakeholder approach, the workshop aims to raise awareness, promote low-cost cybersecurity solutions, and foster collaboration for a safer digital space for all.

    Expected Outcomes

    Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving cyber threats targeting civic communities, particularly activists and journalists.
    The session will identify and explore low-cost, community-driven cybersecurity solutions that can be implemented by organizations with limited resources.
    Through interactive discussions, participants will contribute to the development of actionable policy recommendations that advocate for improved online safety measures for vulnerable groups.
    Increased awareness and accessible cybersecurity solutions will empower civic communities to better defend themselves against cyberattacks.
    Multistakeholder collaboration and policy recommendations will advocate for a safer digital environment for all.

    Hybrid Format: Our workshop, "Building Secure Civic Communities," prioritizes a seamless and interactive experience for both online and onsite participants.
    Facilitating Speaker Interaction via Dual Moderation where a moderator will be present both physically and online. Dual moderators: One online, one onsite, managing discussions and online participation. Separate text chat and live audio/video Q&A for all voices. Online participants visible on a screen in the workshop space. Social media integration will help to increase participation with designated hashtag to encourage broader online conversation.
    Twitter channels, Whatsapp and Facebook group for introductions, resource sharing, and pre-event rapport building. Recording, slides, and materials shared online for continued engagement.