8. Mapping the stakeholders in security standards development
The establishment of a national multistakeholder cooperation to promote the security-related internet standards is identified by the GFCE as a good practice.
Standards development involving a variety of stakeholders through voluntary-based cooperation of state and non-state actors, increases the level of awareness of internet security standards and supports the creation of an enabling environment and partnerships.
Good Practice: Establish a national multistakeholder cooperation to promote the security-related internet standards.
Voluntary-based cooperation of stakeholders encourages raising mutual awareness for the need to implement internet standards and collaborative learning through sharing of expertise which ultimately contributes to building capacities of participating entities.
Collaboration among stakeholders has been established in various forms including the IPv6 taskforces to encourage uptake of IPv6 in Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Tunisia. In 2012 AfriNIC, the Regional Internet Registry for Africa, launched the African IPv6 Taskforce (AF6TF).
Resource: Infographic: Standards stakeholder mapping
Stakeholders are presented as blue circles, whereas initiatives are hexagons.
By clicking on the specific icon you can learn about individual stakeholders and their respective initiatives.
Source: GFCE
Case Study: Multistakeholder participation in standards implementation — Cameroon
Cameroon has a process for identifying where standards are needed, evaluating which standards should be used to address the gaps. and implementing the standards. Through a multistakeholder process, entities (private sector, critical infrastructure, and presumably government organisations) identify and report security issues (or their need to establish a technical standard) to a government agency within the ICT Ministry. The Ministry then passes the issue to a committee consisting of government, private sector, and academic representatives. The committee recommends the application of a particular standard, which the agency approves and then implements through regulation.
Source: GFCE ACE meeting in The Hague
Reflection point
Multistakeholder cooperation at a national level is important to promote the security-related internet standards, taking the example of your country.
Identify actors in standards development.
How is stakeholder collaboration implemented?
What are the challenges?
What is the timeline for implementation?