Session
Organizer 1: Dr. Nazarius Kirama, 🔒Internet Society Tanzania
Organizer 2: Athanase Bahizire, Youth IGF DRC
Speaker 1: Elena Garcia, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)
Speaker 2: ELIAMANI ISAYA LALTAIKA, Technical Community, African Group
Speaker 3: Marcia Whitney, Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization
Classroom
Duration (minutes): 75
Format description: The 75-minute classroom-style panel discussion format is best suited for this session as it allows for a balanced combination of expert insights, audience engagement, and collaborative discussion. It facilitates open dialogue between speakers and participants, ensuring a dynamic exchange of perspectives from judges, legal experts, cybersecurity professionals, and policymakers.
Three Policy Questions 1. How can judicial systems ensure the integrity, authenticity, and admissibility of digital evidence, while safeguarding due process and defendants' rights? 2. What cybersecurity measures should courts and judicial institutions implement to protect sensitive legal data, prevent cyber threats, and maintain public trust in digital justice systems? 3. How can international legal frameworks and cross-border cooperation be improved to address the challenges of digital evidence, cybercrime, and jurisdictional conflicts in an increasingly interconnected world?
What will participants gain from attending this session? The session will provide diverse perspectives from judges, legal experts, cybersecurity professionals, and policymakers, offering a multidisciplinary understanding of legal and technological intersections. Attendees will also explore strategies for judicial training and capacity-building, enabling courts to adapt to emerging digital challenges. Additionally, participants will receive practical tools and policy recommendations to strengthen legal frameworks, promote international cooperation, and enhance digital trust within the judiciary. By engaging in interactive discussions and real-world case studies, they will leave with a deeper understanding of how to modernize legal systems and leverage technology for fair, efficient, and secure justice delivery in the digital era.
Description:
In the digital age, judges and judicial systems worldwide face increasing challenges related to cybersecurity threats and the reliance on digital evidence in legal proceedings. As cybercrime evolves, digital forensics has become a critical component of justice delivery, requiring courts to adapt to ensure due process and protect legal integrity. This workshop builds on ongoing efforts initiated in 2023 in Japan, which aimed to bring judges and judicial practitioners into the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) space. The goal is to have a global platform where judiciary members can open up, share experiences, engage with key stakeholders, and explore how emerging technologies can enhance justice delivery. The platform will take one step at a time to transform judicial culture as we know it. By fostering discussions on best practices, legal harmonization, and capacity-building, the session will help strengthen judicial systems' ability to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and digital evidence in the age of Emerging Technologies. The session will address crucial topics, including the admissibility and authentication of digital evidence, the impact of cyber threats on judicial processes, and the role of technology in modernizing court systems. It will also highlight the need for judicial training on cyber law, data protection, and digital forensics to equip judges with the necessary skills to handle technology-driven cases effectively. By bringing together legal experts, policymakers, technologists, and civil society, this interactive discussion will provide actionable insights and policy recommendations for courts worldwide. The session will also explore collaborative strategies to harmonize digital evidence laws across jurisdictions and ensure that judicial systems remain resilient in the face of technological advancements. Ultimately, this workshop aims to empower the judiciary with the knowledge and tools needed to uphold justice in the digital era while promoting global cooperation in legal and cybersecurity frameworks.
Expected Outcomes: ✔ Enhanced Understanding of Digital Evidence & Cybersecurity: Participants will gain insights into the complexities of handling digital evidence, its admissibility in court, and best practices for judicial cybersecurity. ✔ Policy Recommendations for Legal Frameworks: The session will generate actionable recommendations for harmonizing digital evidence laws across jurisdictions and strengthening judicial cybersecurity policies. ✔ Capacity-Building for the Judiciary: Practical guidance on training programs for judges and legal professionals to enhance their digital forensic skills and cybersecurity awareness. Specific Outputs: • Policy Brief on Digital Evidence & Cybersecurity: A summary of best practices, challenges, and recommendations shared during the session. • Global Judicial Cybersecurity Forum: A proposal for an ongoing multistakeholder platform to support judges in navigating digital challenges. • Follow-Up Workshop at IGF 2026: A continuation of discussions to assess progress and developments in digital justice initiatives.
Hybrid Format: To ensure an inclusive and interactive hybrid experience, this session will implement a structured engagement plan with real-time participation tools. Facilitating Interaction Between Onsite and Online Participants ✅ Dedicated Online Moderator: A designated moderator will manage virtual participation, ensuring remote attendees’ voices are heard and integrated into the discussion. ✅ Equal Speaker Engagement: Online panelists will receive equal speaking time ✅ Live Q&A & Polling:. ✅ Audience Chat Integration: The IGF Zoom chat will be actively monitored to facilitate remote engagement. Ensuring the Best Hybrid Experience 🔹 Balanced Session Structure: The session will include expert insights, case studies, polling, and Q&A . 🔹 High-Quality Audiovisual Setup: Available in Lillestrøm to ensure seamless participation. 🔹 Live Captioning & Translations: Accessibility features will be explored. 🔹 Pre-Session Engagement: Participants can submit questions in advance. Tools 1. Use of Mentimeter for polls & Q&A. 2. Twitter/X, LinkedIn, YouTube Live for live updates