IGF 2024 WS #242 Digital Evolution: Navigating the Cyber Landscape Safely

    Organizer 1: Sameer Gahlot, Vidyasthali Law College

    Speaker 1: Gareth Tan, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
    Speaker 2: Renato Leite Monteiro, Private Sector, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
    Speaker 3: Charles Shaban, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
    Speaker 4: Yoojin Kim, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization

    Moderator

    Sameer Gahlot, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

    Online Moderator

    Nattaya Kay Jaratruangsaeng, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

    Rapporteur

    Nattaya Kay Jaratruangsaeng, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

    Format

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 60
    Format description: The session will adopt an interactive and hybrid format to encourage a continuous discussion between the participants and the speakers. With a 60-minute timeframe allotted for the discussion, each speaker will have sufficient opportunity to discuss their views on technological innovation, its associated risks, trends, and economic impacts. Participants will actively engage by exchanging insights, opinions, and questions with the speakers, enriching the discourse.

    Policy Question(s)

    - What roles and responsibilities should stakeholders assume to foster effective collaboration and tackle the complex challenges of the digital ecosystem in the Global South? - To what extent does the current regulatory frameworks address the risk and challenges associated with rapid technological advancement, especially in the area of cybersecurity? - How do we regulate the dark web by erasing unauthorized publication of data whether medical records, military intelligence, financial data, personal data, nuclear codes, etc. which are vulnerable to quantum computing threats?

    What will participants gain from attending this session? By attending this session, the participants will gain a deeper understanding of how digital infrastructure is a crucial element of modern society. They will gain insights into the dual nature of technological innovation, which can serve both as a catalyst for change as well as a potential source of vulnerability. The participants will also cultivate an understanding of the economic and social impacts coming from the uneven distribution and potential misuse of technological advancements, particularly in the Global South that houses many of the less developed nations in the world. Through collaborative endeavors, they will be encouraged to create proposals and strategic approaches to address these challenges and empower others to align technological innovation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve equitable outcomes together.

    SDGs

    Description:

    Gone are the days when the strength of a nation(s) lies in its military, gold reserves, trade volumes, among others. In recent times, Digital infrastructure has emerged as an equally or arguably a more significant infrastructure necessity, as compared to the traditional necessities such as power, water, and roads. The uneven innovation and associated risk(s) creates major economic and social benefits for some while leaving others behind, especially the less developed nations, sectors and communities in the Global South. Technological innovation can rather be seen as a double-edged sword which distorts the notion of an egalitarian society when it fails to safeguard its digital users. To continue functioning in this dynamic environment, nation(s) who proactively shape their digital ecosystem in tune with contemporary realists of cyberspace will be able to dictate the terms thereby creating a more sustainable future. As the Global South is set to witness a rapid expansion of the Internet users which creates an interconnected cyberspace while becoming exposed to cyber threats and associated vulnerabilities. There are certain key area(s) like innovation, regulation, collaboration and education which can act as a springboard for creating a sustainable digital space. Collaboration and education fuel innovation, yet they also give rise to new challenges, particularly in response to regulatory frameworks. As the market embarks on disrupting businesses with the onset of the Emerging Technologies, creative thinking and problem-solving skills take center stage by leveraging technology effectively. Moreover, it is evident that digital technology burgeoned during the pandemic and became engines of growth altering the traditional silo based to modern and collaborative models. Technological advancement coupled with strategic fit including balancing the risk faced by the ecosystem actors can provide favorable outcomes, thereby releasing goal(s) enshrined under SDGs.

    Expected Outcomes

    Through this panel discussion focusing on digital infrastructure and innovation in the Global South, we endeavour to carve out a strategy, addressing and suggesting noble methods to tackle them constructively, including but not limited to, research reports, articles, or in any other feasible manner like on-ground impact. If possible, said publications/FAQs will be translated into other languages to ensure broader accessibility and meaningful dialogue. Furthermore, the organizers will actively foster continued engagement and connection with the speakers and participants in follow-up events. Beyond facilitating dialogue, the session also aims to open up collaboration opportunities and conversations among speakers, participants, and organizers to talk about programs and events related to the topic where they can work together.

    Hybrid Format: The said panel discussion is curated, designed and to be implemented in such a way which will provide an immersive experience not only to onsite participants and speakers but also to those attending online. To ensure its effective implementation, we envisage to place at least 1 moderator and 2 speakers onsite, with an online moderator proactively addressing the concerns of the online speaker and participant thereby bridging the gap. Such an engagement tends to create an inclusive and participatory environment, thereby promoting dialogue, collaboration, and understanding among different actors in a coordinated manner.