The German Mission to the United Nations in cooperation with the EastWest Institute is hosting "Cybersecurity: Unchartered Waters for the UN," a panel discussion on Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the German House at First Avenue at 49th Street in New York City.

Panelists include: James Lewis, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C.; Sandro Gaycken, Institute of Computer Science, Freie Universität, Berlin; and Cherian Samuel, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Colum Lynch, UN correspondent for the Washington Post and blogger for Foreign Policy will moderate. 

Cybersecurity issues make front page news almost daily. In contrast, cyber issues are rarely discussed within the United Nations. There is growing concern regarding the wide range of potential cyber attacks and their potentially devastating consequences. Rapidly advancing technological capabilities have given rise to mounting risks of escalation and miscalculation.

Traditional policies of deterrence, classic non-proliferation strategies, as well as export controls are not nearly as effective here. Another challenge is the lack of clarity on which international rules will apply in cyberspace.

This expert panel will address these crucial areas. This event is open to a broad audience. It intends to offer a space for dialogue, involving member states, UN agencies and NGOs.