16/07/2024
What is cyber diplomacy? And how does it relate to cybersecurity nowadays? These practices are uniting the world against the dangers of cyberspace.
The digitalization of modern society has had some unintended consequences.
As key economic sectors like commerce, energy, transport and finance become more reliant on digital technologies, the risk from cyber threats and attacks only continues to grow.
This rapidly evolving cyberthreat landscape has pushed cybersecurity to the top of the global agenda. But it’s about more than safeguarding data from theft or damage; for international affairs experts, cybersecurity nowadays is about protecting privacy, preserving intellectual property and ensuring national security through cyber diplomacy.
What is cyber diplomacy?
From social media data to online financial transactions, the need for cybersecurity is more urgent than ever.
Cybercrime disrupts people’s lives and business growth on a global scale.
More importantly, it can adversely affect national security through cyber attacks on critical infrastructure or offensive operations from non-state actors.
Cyber diplomacy is simply diplomacy that responds to the needs of a tech-driven world. Its definition may have changed over time, but most experts agree that it encompasses how countries, groups or people behave in cyberspace to protect and advance their cultural, economic, scientific or political interests, all while maintaining peaceful relations.
Cyber diplomacy utilizes diplomatic tools to focus international efforts on key issues such as cyber warfare, data privacy and internet governance. It provides countries with a shared set of rules and protocols to guide their actions and interactions in these areas, building a bridge between global actors in the private and public sectors.
Cybersecurity and the rise of cyber diplomacy
Countries today deal with numerous challenges to their national security that originate from cyberspace. Powered by digital innovations, bad actors can interrupt critical public services or run massive cyber-espionage operations from anywhere in the world. Similarly, data theft, data breaches, money laundering, fraud, extortion and manipulation campaigns are now easier to pull off, thanks to the internet.
These cyberthreats don’t just pose a risk to personal or enterprise privacy; they lead to massive social and financial losses that could derail economies. Notorious cyberattacks like Stuxnet and WannaCry affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide, knocking out operations in factories, hospitals and more. According to security agencies, such attacks resulted in $12.5 billion in losses in 2023 alone—over three times the amount reported in 2019.
That’s one reason why cybersecurity nowadays is entrenched in cyber diplomacy. The dynamic, interconnected nature of cyberspace calls for solutions integrating both. In fact, international cooperation is bolstered by a robust cyber defense policy that unifies the 5 basic principles of cyber security, namely:
• Identify assets and the associated cybersecurity risks.
• Protect assets by implementing stronger security controls.
• Detect and analyze cyberthreats quickly to mitigate security risks.
• Respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents effectively.
• Govern to help build strong cyber security cultures.
In 2018, the international community made its first steps toward such a policy during the Paris Peace Forum. The resulting document, the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace, brought together countries, private companies, professional associations and civil society to tackle emerging cyberthreats and promote the nine principles of a secure cyberspace.
IE University and cyber diplomacy
Experts warn that the internet has become the next frontier for misinformation and geopolitical contests. Already, numerous examples exist of foreign interference in elections. And with the rise of artificial intelligence technologies, such influence will only get harder to address, eroding democracy and institutional trust worldwide.
IE University equips you for the future with innovative programs designed to position you at the forefront of cyber diplomacy and sustainable international development. Our wide selection lets you build unique skills in the areas that interest you most:
Master in International Relations
Cyber diplomacy is critical to international relations today. That’s why our Master in International Relations emphasizes digital skills and a forward-thinking, global mindset. You’ll develop these in exchange opportunities and a one-week immersive trip to EU institutions and other international organizations in Brussels. Similarly, you’ll gain related skills in one of three specialization tracks, including Geopolitics and Diplomacy; International Economics and Business; and Global Governance and International Cooperation.
Furthermore, you’ll acquire exclusive insights into the global landscape, learning from experts from the OECD along with an international network of industry experts, prominent politicians and diplomats, and business leaders.
Master in International Development
We’ve designed the Master in International Development alongside the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) to provide a unique skill set. Its curriculum revolves around the 5 P’s of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including People and Partnership.
Through this program, you’ll learn to use digital tools to cut through the complex interlinking relationships and processes behind sustainable development. Also, four specialization tracks—Development Innovation & Emerging Technologies; Governance & Social Inclusion; Environmental Politics and Climate Action; and Finance, Trade and Business for Sustainable Development—will show you how to leverage diplomatic processes to tackle pressing challenges.
Executive Master in International Development
Meanwhile, the Executive Master in International Development prepares you to spearhead collaboration among various global actors to promote sustainable growth. Also developed jointly with the UNSSC, the program builds practical competence, global vision and valuable leadership skills, increasing your capacity to develop system-wide solutions.
Master in Applied Economics
Our Master in Applied Economics immerses you in cutting-edge digital and technical tools used for analyzing global markets and regional economic outlooks. With this hands-on competency, you’ll be able to shape fiscal policy, keep up with financial markets and protect sensitive information from data breaches and cyber attacks.
Step into a new frontier
It’s impossible to understate the importance of cyber diplomacy, especially in light of the dynamic cyberthreats landscape. This problem requires a collaborative approach that takes the varying needs of private, public and civil society players into account. As we promote inclusive, responsible behavior in cyberspace, we’ll translate these gains into the physical world, building a safer, more secure world for all.
