In an effort to facilitate global multi-stakeholder engagement to advance international peace and security in cyberspace, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) decided to launch the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC) at the 2017 Munich Security Conference with the support of many partners.
The Commission helps to develop norms and policies that advance the international security and stability of cyberspace. By finding ways to link the traditional state-led dialogues on international security with those of the Internet communities, the GCSC fulfils a critical need: supporting policy and norms coherence related to the security and stability in and of cyberspace by applying a multi-stakeholder approach to its deliberations on peace and security.
From 2017-2020, the Commission will meet physically four times per year, encouraging the flow of information and knowledge across various cyberspace initiatives. An active outreach program encourages cross-fertilization and capacity building amongst initiatives.
Membership
Chaired by Marina Kaljurand, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and Co-Chaired by Michael Chertoff, former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, and Latha Reddy, former Deputy National Security Advisor of India, the Commission comprises 26 prominent Commissioners representing a wide range of geographic regions as well as government, industry, technical and civil society stakeholders with legitimacy to speak on different aspects of cyberspace. The GCSC Secretariat is provided by The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies and supported by the EastWest Institute. Under the direction of Alexander Klimburg (HCSS), Director of the Initiative, and Bruce McConnell (EWI), Co-Director, the Secretariat provides operational support to the Commission.
Call to Protect the Electoral Infrastructure
Bratislava, May 24, 2018 – The Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC) decided to advocate a prohibition on the disruption of elections through cyber attacks on the technical infrastructure that supports elections.
Call to Protect the Public Core
New Delhi, November 21, 2017 – The Commission released its Call to Protect the Public Core of the Internet – an appeal for a new norm to apply to both state and non-state actors to refrain from activity that intentionally and substantially damages the general availability or integrity of the Internet itself.
The Public Core Principle – Joint submission to the IGF Cybersecurity Best Practice Forum
Global Commission Proposes Definition of the Public Core of the Internet
In November 2017, the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC) issued its Call to Protect the Public Core of the Internet. A working group of the GCSC conducted a broad survey of experts on communications infrastructure and cyber defense to assess which infrastructures were deemed most worthy of protection. Accordingly, the Commission formulated a definition of the phrase “the public core of the Internet”. This is elaborated upon further, alongside a description of the elements, in the Definition of the Public Core.
Research Advisory Group
The work of the GCSC is supported by the Research Advisory Group (RAG). The RAG functions as the Commission’s academic backbone and links the latter to the wider research community. The RAG engages in scientific research to support the deliberations and publications of the Commissioners and, through its outreach and community engagement, also fulfills a crucial advocacy mission of the Commission. After each Small Commission Meeting, the GCSC commissions a Call for Research Proposals from other experts to inform the deliberations of the following Full Commission Meeting. The first set of briefings and memos from the Research Advisory Group are available here.
The core interaction of the Research Advisory Group is founded on four email lists. Members are able to respond to requests for proposals commissioned by the GCSC, as well as generate their own ideas for further enquiry. Select members will also be invited to provide testimony to the Commission at the Full Commission Meetings (twice per year). Find out how to join the Research Advisory Group here.
Updates
- On Tuesday, 17 July, during IETF 102 in Montreal, the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC) will host a lunch panel on Cyber Diplomacy Meets InfoSec and Technology.
- The GCSC participated in EURODIG 2018 in Tbilisi, Georgia, in June 2018. EURODIG offered a unique opportunity to present the work of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC)
- The Commission formulated a definition of the phrase “the public core of the Internet”. This is elaborated upon further, alongside a description of the elements, in the Definition of the Public Core
- The GCSC convened in Bratislava, Slovakia, after the GLOBSEC 2018 Forum. At its largest meeting yet, the GCSC decided to release a call to protect the Electoral Infrastructure.
- Thought Piece prepared by Sean Kanuck, the Chair of the GCSC Research Advisory Group, “Protecting the Electoral Process and its Institutions” is available here.
- Thought Piece prepared by Commissioner Wolfgang Kleinwächter, “Towards a Holistic Approach for Internet Related Public Policy Making: Can the Helsinki Process of the 1970s be a Source of Inspiration to Enhance Stability in Cyberspace?” is available here.
- The GCSC had a small Commission meeting in Lille on January 25, 2018, after the 10th International Cybersecurity Forum to discuss the Research Proposals and chart its agenda for the coming year.
- The GCSC has convened in Delhi on November 20-21, 2017, in the margins of the Global Conference on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCCS). As a result of this meeting, the GCSC proposed a Call to Protect the Public Core of the Internet. Moreover, it also launched the Government Advisory Board (GAB)
- The Research Advisory Group (RAG) is recruiting researchers and experts that would like to contribute to the work of the Commission. In August 2017, the first research projects were commissioned, the outcomes of which have been presented at the Full Commission Meeting in Delhi in November 2017.
- Other previous meetings of the GCSC are the Small Commission Meeting in Las Vegas on July 27, 2017 at Black Hat USA, the First Full Commission Meeting on 2-3 June, 2017 in the margins of CyCon in Tallinn, Estonia, and the Launch of the GCSC on 18 February, 2017 at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany.
