States have engaged in a multilateral dialogue on international information and communications technology (ICT) security since 1999, when the UN General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the potential use of ICTs for purposes that endanger international peace and security. This dialogue has taken the form of successive UN Groups of Governmental experts and Open-Ended Working Groups. International law considerations have been an important element of these multilateral deliberations, culminating in agreement that existing international law applies to State conduct in cyberspace.
Recognizing that cyberspace is not a lawless domain, States are committed to discussing and developing common understandings on how existing rules and principles of general international law apply to cyberspace. Capacity building is imperative to empower all States to participate in these multilateral discussions. UNIDIR has actively supported these efforts through a number of capacity and confidence building activities, such as training courses and workshops on international law in the ICT domain.
Committed to further supporting UN Member States, and recognizing the expertise on international law and cyberspace possessed by the multistakeholder community, UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme established the Expert Network on International Law and ICT Security. This platform facilitates dialogue between the diplomatic community and international legal experts, scholars and practitioners.
Members of the network complement and enrich UNIDIR’s expertise. They contribute to strategic planning, capacity and confidence building activities, and support UN Member States in developing a common understanding of how international law applies to their behavior in cyberspace.