The Case for Cooperation in Cyberspace

Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft

In this exchange, Peter Maurer and Brad Smith discuss how digital technologies can help respond to humanitarian crisis and how international law can help safeguard cyberspace.In a world where authoritarian countries use cyber weapons to undermine the world’s democracies and human rights, it’s imperative that the international community work together to share information and best practices for the common defense

Brad Smith, President, Microsoft Corp.: Hi, Peter. It’s great to speak with you. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has an important mission to protect vulnerable people amid armed conflict, a role that has evolved over the years alongside changes in armed conflict. Today, the world is digitalizing. What does this mean for the work of international humanitarian organizations?

Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross: Technology is an increasingly important facilitator of aid for people in crisis situations, for example through telehealth services, platforms to keep families connected, or mobile money to buy basic goods.

We also need to ensure people’s privacy and protect personal data. Ultimately, for people in vulnerable situations it can be a question of life or death if their personal information ends up in the wrong hands. Our hope is by engaging with states, the tech industry and hackers, we can find new, human-centered solutions that better protect people and meet their humanitarian needs.

Peter: In your new book, “Tools and Weapons,” you and Carol Ann Browne discuss the dual-use potential of digital technology to both help and harm. How does Microsoft think about its role in creating a new space of human interaction and the new cyber risks that come with it?

Brad: We think about it a lot. The internet has transformed our world with incredible speed. Whole industries now exist strictly online, and in less than 20 years we have gone from households having maybe one family computer to now any number of internet-connected devices. Your refrigerator may well be doing your shopping now!

As a result, our industry has to take greater responsibility. To address rising threats, Microsoft will be investing more than $20 billion over just the next five years to enhance the security of our products and services. Beyond the efforts of any one company though, the increasing importance of cyberspace also means we need to work together more to address new kinds of threats.

Brad: Digital transformation has the potential to transform societies, lift people out of poverty and help us respond to humanitarian crises. But it also raises new threats. What do you observe in this respect?

Peter: While physical warfare remains the main cause of humanitarian needs, there is no doubt conflicts are digitalizing and militaries are spending large amounts of money on developing cyber capabilities.

In war zones, where services are already struggling, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure — disrupting water and electricity supply, or the operation of hospitals — are likely to cost even more lives. We have also seen how disinformation and hate speech, in particular on social media platforms, can accelerate violence and discrimination with potentially serious humanitarian consequences.

Peter: I might put a similar question back to you, Brad. You are closer to understanding the opportunities and challenges afforded by modern technologies. What do you think needs to be done to address the harm of cyber conflict

Brad: First of all, things that are off-limits to attack in the physical world — water supplies, power plants, health care — absolutely need to be protected online. The same goes for human rights. These need to be as sacred online as they are in the physical world. But this is obviously easier said than done.

Cyberspace differs from other domains. It exists

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Episode 3380 - November 25 - Tiếng Anh - Trường hợp hợp tác trên không gian mạng - Vina Technology at AI time