Module objectives

Welcome to the knowledge module on cyber diplomacy and international cooperation, as part of the GFCE-Africa project.

This knowledge module discusses emerging cybersecurity risks for international peace and security, introduces the existing international framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, maps the major diplomatic and multistakeholder processes that shape this agenda, and reviews experiences related to establishing national cyber diplomacy capabilities.

The Cyber Security Policy and Strategy theme may be understood as the ‘foundation’ for the other identified themes in the GFCE Global Agenda for Cyber Capacity Building. 
Recognising the importance of cyber-norms and cyber diplomacy, the GFCE Working Group A, which discusses policy and strategy issues, has created a Task Force ‘CBMs, Norms Implementation and Cyber Diplomacy’.
See more at the GFCE website.

By the end of this module, you will be able to respond to and find additional resources for the following questions:

• How can cyberattacks impact national economies and political relations? Why are cyberattacks used for military and political gains? Are states developing their offensive cyber capabilities?
• What are the current ‘rules of the road’ for states in cyberspace? (How) Does international law apply to cyberspace?
• What are the norms? How do they interplay with international law? How to implement them across African states? 
• What are the confidence-building measures (CBMs)? What is the significance of regional CBMs? What are the main cyber capacity-building principles set by the UN?
• What is the link between human rights and cyber norms? How does cybersecurity impact economic development and SDGs?
• What is the history of the negotiations and dialogue under the UN? What are the current and possible future elements of the institutional dialogue? What other major diplomatic and political processes have cybersecurity elements on the agenda?
• What are the major instruments developed on regional levels? How can those instruments assist African developments?
• What is the value of multistakeholder discussions for cyber diplomacy efforts? Which are the most relevant multistakeholder fora that African states should be engaged with?
• Is cyber diplomacy about cybersecurity only?
• What role non-state stakeholders play in cyber diplomacy, especially at the regional levels? Why is inclusiveness of stakeholders important for reaching meaningful agreements?
• What are the skills that cyber diplomats require? What are the skills that other stakeholders need to contribute to cyber processes? (Why and how) Should diplomats and non-diplomats work together? What is the role of other stakeholders?