Cyber as part of foreign policy is dominated by concerns over both international and national security. In fact, the public debate focuses on incidents like hacks in utility services and banks, identity theft, virus infections in software, Big Data spying by Secret Services and cyber-jihad. Governments react by setting up national crisis centres, consultancy firms offer their help and expertise, while every piece of information continues to be exchanged by email or smartphone.

The impact of cyber

At the same time, however, cyber has already influenced foreign policy much more than one would expect. Considerations of foreign policy, strategic consequences, and international cooperation on this issue follow only slowly. Examples of this influence are the role of social media in the Arab Spring, cyber as economic revenue resource, cyber as the new dimension in warfare, and terrorists and criminals using cyber irrespective of borders and jurisdictions.

Growth, Freedom and Security

The Global Conference on Cyber Space 2015 prioritises three themes: Growth, Freedom and Security. This attests to the fact that cyber diplomacy is a cross-cutting theme in foreign policy.

What is cyber diplomacy?

In our view cyber diplomacy refers to the management of particular new (cyber) dimensions of foreign policy areas and international affairs, and to the practice of diplomacy by combining cyber with (traditional) diplomatic resources.

Clingendael’s activities regarding cyber

• On 27 February 2014 Clingendael Academy took the initiative to organise a first Masterclass in Cybersecurity in which policy makers, researchers and diplomats from the Netherlands and abroad participated. 
• As official side-event of the Global Conference on Cyber Space, Clingendael Academy organised a 1-day training in Cyber Security and Diplomacy in cooperation with its Swiss partner ICT4Peace. 
• Clingendael Academy offers her partners a specialised 5-day training in cyber diplomacy for Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Services from across the world.

In the media

Regarding GCCS2015 multiple Clingendael researchers gave interviews to media, including Sico van der Meer in the Dutch Public Television program NOS op 3 item 'Eigenlijk is de hele wereld in cyberoorlog' and Frans-Paul van der Putten in Dutch daily Volkskrant: 'Wordt internet een digitale politiestaat?'.  

16 april 2015