Whose Security is Cybersecurity? Authority, Responsibility, and Power in Cyberspace

To what extent has the emergence of cyber technologies affected how we think, and should think, about international relations? Has there been fundamental change, or are we simply seeing a continuation of existing trends? The dynamics of cyberspace seemingly challenge traditional approaches to the study of world politics. They raise important questions regarding what the potential sources of threats are, who is responsible for addressing them, and who or what is most vulnerable. In short, whose security is cyber security? From influence campaigns to internet censorship, cyberspace has become a contested and volatile realm within, among, and beyond states. As we move further into the Digital Age, it becomes increasingly imperative to interrogate the way in which we think about security in cyberspace, and examine how notions of authority, responsibility, and power may be transforming with the global proliferation of new cyber capabilities. STAIR’s May 2019 issue will explore this topic, particularly under two subtopics: responsibility, governance, and norms in cyberspace; and cybersecurity and the changing nature of conflict.

In this launch event, STAIR will first provide a brief overview of these issues, introducing the diverse contributions revolving around the question: whose security is cybersecurity? This will be followed by a panel discussion thematically focused on cybercrime and the Internet of Things (IoT). The panel will consist of experts on different facets of cybersecurity and the IoT, with each providing a short discussion of their own field of expertise and insights into its various characteristics and processes. After the presentations, dialogue will be open for audience members to ask questions and participate.

MODERATOR:

Professor Lucas Kello – Director of the Centre for Technology and Global Affairs, Co-Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security, University of Oxford

SPEAKERS:

Dr Jonathan Lusthaus – Director of The Human Cybercriminal Project in the Department of Sociology, Research Associate at the Centre for Technology and Global Affairs, University of Oxford

Dr Tine Munk – Lecturer in Criminology (Cybercrime), Middlesex University, London

Dr Victoria Wang – Senior Lecturer in Security and Cybercrime, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth

Panel discussion will be followed by a wine reception.