Cyber security:
An emerging threat
The digitization of so many aspects of people’s lives and businesses presents an enormous opportunity for improved efficiency and
productivity, but it also presents a significant new type of risk in the form of cyber security challenges. Governments will face pressure
to protect their citizens, their own operations and the security of their nations from threats not seen before.
The European Union Institute for Security Studies predicts that “over the next two decades, the cyber sphere is likely to become an
arena of conflict and tension between states of all political stripes, not least among those for which cyber security is a key component
of intelligence and military strategy, and also between individuals or private companies.”45 This trend also exposes critical infrastructure
to threats from both enemy states and non-state actors in a new manner.46 Cyber actions can infiltrate nuclear plants or disrupt financial
systems.47 As the security dimensions of global internet connectivity become increasingly salient, the traditional neutrality and
stakeholder governance model of internet governance will need to change.48
Implications and responses
• As threats easily transcend national borders, emerging cyber security threats call for international cooperation and information
sharing, especially during a crisis.49
• Most countries that have established cyber security as a priority have created some form of coordinating body to manage
responses, though the departmental responsibility varies.50