Big companies back new CyberPeace Institute in Geneva
Microsoft and Mastercard are among the big companies behind the CyberPeace Institute launched in Geneva on Thursday. The non-profit institute seeks to help people negatively affected by conflicts in cyberspace.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
The launch of the institute was announced on Thursday and reinforces Geneva’s position as a hub on cybersecurity and governance of new technologies. Strong government support and availability of experts helped Geneva beat out other cities in the running to host the institute.
The institute will be an independent non-governmental organisation with key functions including assisting the most vulnerable victims of cyberattacks, assessing the harm, and promoting responsible behaviour in cyberspace.
In a press releaseExternal link, CEO of the institute Stéphane Duguin, formerly at Europol, said, “The global disruptions from cyberattacks are the symptoms of an insidious threat targeting civilians at a time of peace.”
Among the companies funding the institute, Microsoft has been working towards a Digital Geneva ConventionExternal link, a legally binding framework to govern states’ behaviour in cyberspace and prevent negative impacts of new technologies.
Swiss efforts
Switzerland has been boosting its capabilities in cyber security over the last few years. The government recently established the Geneva Science and Diplomacy AnticipatorExternal link foundation with the local Geneva government to promote links between science, innovation and diplomacy.
The country’s two federal technology institutes also launched a new Masters degree in cyber-security this past spring as part of an effort to play a leading role in studying the protection of computers and networks.
Switzerland will be bringing its academic expertise to the institute. Martin Vetterli, president of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), will sit on the Executive Board of the Institute, and the EPFL Center for Digital Trust is named as a scientific partner of the CyberPeace Institute.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Swiss president highlights digital responsibility in New York
This content was published on
Speaking in front of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Ueli Maurer described the UN Charter and the Geneva Conventions as “compasses of values” in the digital age.
Government reinforces critical infrastructure against cyber attacks
This content was published on
In the wake of several major cyber security attacks, the government released minimum standards to protect the country’s critical infrastructure.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.