IGF 2023 Youth Track
Workshop II
Hosted at Youth LACIGF in Cartagena, Colombia
28 August 2023 at 14:15 UTC

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN CYBERSECURITY: EMPOWERING YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE OF INTERNET GOVERNANCE
 

The advancement of technology and the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure have brought several benefits to society. However, this digital transformation also presents new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity. As we approach the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023, it is imperative to recognize the importance of capacity development in cybersecurity for everyone, especially young people. Enhancing their skills in cybersecurity emerges as a critical pillar for a secure and inclusive digital future. By investing in their knowledge, we equip them with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of cyberspace, contribute to internet governance discussions, and address the evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Cybersecurity capacity building (CCB) to ensure sustainable growth includes initiatives such as digital skills training programs, awareness campaigns, and the development of technical infrastructure to improve cybersecurity. It can also involve the establishment of new policies, regulations, and legal frameworks to support cybersecurity efforts inside and between nations. By enhancing their cybersecurity capacity, both countries and organizations can bolster their ability to safeguard their citizens, customers, and crucial infrastructure against the ever-evolving, boundaryless cyber threats. That’s why the rising number of cyberattacks creates the urgency of giving young people the necessary skills safeguarding digital systems and face several cybersecurity threats, including cyberbullying, cyber predators, and exposure to harmful online content through apps, social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or be a victim of these activities. This will allow them not only to ensure their cybersecurity at a digital citizenship level but also helps a minimum set of tools of cybersecurity as a country, especially for those which aren’t strong enough due to their limited network security measures, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities. 
Young people can build their capacity for cybersecurity through several programs, processes and initiatives made for them. For example, the European Union Institute for Security Studies, the Oxford Global Cybersecurity Capacity Center (GCSCC), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Potomac Institute, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) are examples of how young people can be involved in government teams that respond to national cybersecurity incidents, helping countries design and run public awareness campaigns about staying safe online, and in pieces of training to the police on how to investigate cybercrime.
In conclusion, capacity development in cybersecurity for youth plays a decisive role in promoting digital literacy. This knowledge could equip them to make informed decisions, adopt secure practices, have critical thinking in cybersecurity and protect themselves, their families, and others online. It also prepares them for the political support needed for consensus on how to implement the norms and principles for responsible policymakers’ behavior, becoming one way to ensure that the interests of all nations are reflected in the discussion of cybersecurity by linking it to the Sustainable Development Goals and maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise by fostering networking opportunities and creating platforms for information exchange and multistakeholderism. This collaborative approach not only enhances their skills but also strengthens the global cybersecurity community, also fosters a culture of collective responsibility towards safeguarding the Internet, as the Internet Governance Forum and the upcoming Global Digital Compact expect it.

FORMAT: Interactive 60-min roundtable exchange between youth from around the world and senior experts

DRAFT AGENDA:

• Opening by the moderator and welcome from the IGF Secretariat (5 mins)
• Panel discussion on the following policy areas (30 mins):
  • How can we enhance our cyber hygiene to strengthen our daily cyber security capacity building and engage the community in order to make them realize the importance of taking care of their own online spaces?
  • How can we develop mechanisms for young people to participate in the policy making process related to cybersecurity ? 
  • How could the emergence of new technologies such as AI or quantum computing affect the Cybersecurity Capacity Building? 
  • How can we integrate Cyber Security capacity building for tyoung people into the educational system to promote digital literacy and inclusion by understanding the pros and cons of being online? What are the key challenges and opportunities in this area?
• Q&A and Roundtable discussion (20 mins)
• Closing remarks (5 mins)

SPEAKERS:

• Anja Gengo, IGF Secretariat (introduction)
• Joao Moreno, IS3C, Intelliway, ISOC Youth SG
• Janice Richardson, WG2 - IS3C
• Sharon Polsky, PACC, Canada (online)
• Cesar Díaz, LACNIC
• Garcia Carlos Sebastian, Member of Parliament in Paraguay (TBC) 
• Fernanda Santos Machado, Ceptro 

ONSITE MODERATOR: Nicolas Fiumarelli and Umut Pajaro Velasquez
ONLINE MODERATOR: Veronica Piccolo and Joao Pedro de Martins
RAPPORTEURS: Phyo T., Saba Tiku, Emilia Zalewska-Czajczyńska

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