Non-state actors, including civil society, corporations, and academia, play an essential, yet evolving, role in shaping and implementing international cyber norms [1-3]. While states are the primary actors in committing to binding agreements and legitimately using force, the unofficial efforts of non-state actors can support national goals [4, 5].
Evolving Role of Non-State Actors
Shift from Central to Supporting Role: Over the past two decades, cyber diplomacy has seen a shift, moving civil society and technology companies from a central to a supporting role in cyberspace [2].
Their roles remain important, even essential [2].
New emerging regional powers will not defer to them [2].
Participation and Expertise
Multistakeholder Approach: The peculiarities of ICT favor extending the traditional intergovernmental framework through the participation of actors from science, industry, and civil society [6].
Technical Expertise: Non-state actors bring necessary technical expertise to diplomatic negotiations, while still respecting the intergovernmental nature of norm-setting [7].
Internet Governance: Civil society, the private sector, and governments play an equal role [8].
Contributions of Different Non-State Actors
Corporations: For companies, cyber diplomacy is often an extension of lobbying practices used with national governments, to persuade officials to undertake actions that serve the company’s interests [9].
Civil Society: Civil society participation is more complicated, with groups asserting they better represent the interests of citizens than the formal representatives of the state [9].
Academia: Academia is linked to civil society and can offer expertise and resources [1].
Challenges and Considerations
Internet Culture: Internet culture is vibrant and energetic, but not always well-informed, complicating the task of cyber diplomacy [10].
Effectiveness of Initiatives: Many initiatives announced by civil society or corporations may have no real effect on the actions of states [10].
National Interests: No state will allow its interests to be safeguarded by technicians, executives, lawyers, or academics [10].
Unease with Private Actors: There is some dissatisfaction with the deference shown to private actors by some states [11].
Data Governance: Debates include topics such as privacy, data governance, and security [12, 13].
Mechanisms for Participation
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE): The GFCE is a multistakeholder community with over 120 governments, international organisations, private companies, and civil society organisations [14].
UN Ad-Hoc Committee: The UN’s Third Committee’s Ad-Hoc Committee, tasked with developing a UN cybercrime convention, provides a useful baseline for meaningful multistakeholder participation [15].
Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW): SICW gathers policymakers, industry leaders, and academia to address cybersecurity challenges and promote collaboration [16, 17].
Areas for Improvement
Inclusivity: UN member states should embrace and leverage the expertise and experience that non-governmental stakeholders bring to the table, especially from civil society and industry [18].
Global Approach: To foster a secure, trusted, open, and interoperable cyberspace, a global approach is needed, based on global rules and norms and adherence to international law [19].
Capacity Building: Mainstreaming cyber capacity building into ODA would help Western nations to allocate more meaningful funding to cyber projects in technologically less developed countries [8].
Conclusion
The private sector is an essential partner to help shape global governance, build global resilience, and counter malicious behavior in cyberspace.
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