A Common Good Cyber working session in New York underscores the pressing need to offer nonprofits in the cybersecurity field sustainable funding and systemic support.
Nonprofits play a crucial role in securing the global Internet and building cybersecurity capacity. However, their efforts are often overlooked and their financial stability remains a challenge, posing risks to the resilience of the digital ecosystem.
These were some of the main takeaways from the side event, “The Role of Nonprofits in Cybersecurity,” convened by the Global Cyber Alliance and Chile in alignment with Common Good Cyber and The Hague Beyond 125 Action Plan, to explore the critical role of nonprofits, sustainable funding mechanisms, and the contributions of the UN and States to these efforts.
The event took place December 6 at UN headquarters, on the side of its Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (OEWG ICTs). Around 30 attendees followed the panel moderated by Philip Reitinger, President & CEO of the Global Cyber Alliance, with participation of Catalina Vera Toro (Head of delegation for Chile); Madeline Murphy Hall (Microsoft), Chris Painter (The Global Forum on Cyber Expertise), and Kayle Giroud (Global Cyber Alliance).
Speakers recalled that nonprofits are essential in securing vulnerable communities and strengthening global cybersecurity infrastructure. Illustrations of their work demonstrated their effectiveness in capacity building and responding to high-risk scenarios. Discussions stressed that the multi-stakeholder model of cybersecurity hinges on the sustained operation of these organizations. If nonprofits are not adequately supported, this model could collapse, they warned.
The group emphasised finding sustainable ways to support multi-stakeholder efforts.
The Common Good Cyber proposals include acceleration programs and a multi-donor joint fund to provide consistent financial backing to cybersecurity nonprofits. There will be an additional working session on January 16 at the Centre for Internet Security in Washington D.C.. Actionable recommendations from these events will be shared with States and the donor community at the Locarno Suite, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London next March 12.
Discussions at the OEWG side event already highlighted the need for diverse funding sources. Attendees emphasized the importance of ensuring funding is not solely state-led but to ensure that any solution would be inclusive of private sector corporations, given their role in and benefits from the digital ecosystem. The group also discussed non-financial support through things like secure-by-design policies, and litigation by cyberattack victims as a potential source of revenue for nonprofits.
Finally, discussions highlighted governments’ role in promoting nonprofit work, both locally and beyond. The UN and States are pivotal in fostering an environment where nonprofits can thrive.
Leveraging nonprofits’ expertise in capacity-building efforts are critical. Panelists emphasized the value of international cooperation and encouraged recognizing nonprofits’ contributions at the systemic level. OEWG delegates can have a pivotal role in providing visibility to these contributions at local level and beyond by taking their knowledge of the ecosystem back to the relevant ministries and authorities.
The session underscored the irreplaceable role of nonprofits in cybersecurity and the pressing need for sustainable funding and systemic support. Stakeholders must collaborate to ensure these organizations continue to serve as cornerstones of the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
Learn more at www.commongoodcyber.org.
