Big companies back new CyberPeace Institute in Geneva
The institute works to assist those who cannot defend themselves in the face of cyber attacks and promote a more secure online world.
Keystone / Sascha Steinbach
Microsoft and Mastercard are among the big companies behind the CyberPeace Institute launched in Geneva on Thursday. The non-profit institute seeks to help people negatively affected by conflicts in cyberspace.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
The launch of the institute was announced on Thursday and reinforces Geneva’s position as a hub on cybersecurity and governance of new technologies. Strong government support and availability of experts helped Geneva beat out other cities in the running to host the institute.
The institute will be an independent non-governmental organisation with key functions including assisting the most vulnerable victims of cyberattacks, assessing the harm, and promoting responsible behaviour in cyberspace.
In a press releaseExternal link, CEO of the institute Stéphane Duguin, formerly at Europol, said, “The global disruptions from cyberattacks are the symptoms of an insidious threat targeting civilians at a time of peace.”
Among the companies funding the institute, Microsoft has been working towards a Digital Geneva ConventionExternal link, a legally binding framework to govern states’ behaviour in cyberspace and prevent negative impacts of new technologies.
Swiss efforts
Switzerland has been boosting its capabilities in cyber security over the last few years. The government recently established the Geneva Science and Diplomacy AnticipatorExternal link foundation with the local Geneva government to promote links between science, innovation and diplomacy.
The country’s two federal technology institutes also launched a new Masters degree in cyber-security this past spring as part of an effort to play a leading role in studying the protection of computers and networks.
Switzerland will be bringing its academic expertise to the institute. Martin Vetterli, president of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), will sit on the Executive Board of the Institute, and the EPFL Center for Digital Trust is named as a scientific partner of the CyberPeace Institute.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Norwegian zombie film wins main prize at Swiss festival NIFFF
This content was published on
More than 55,000 people celebrated the fantastic film at the International Fantastic Film Festival in Neuchâtel (NIFFF) - fewer than last year.
Swiss president highlights digital responsibility in New York
This content was published on
Speaking in front of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Ueli Maurer described the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions as “compasses of values” in the digital age.
Government reinforces critical infrastructure against cyber attacks
This content was published on
In the wake of several major cyber security attacks, the government released minimum standards to protect the country’s critical infrastructure.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.