Unveiling Feminist Perspectives on Cybersecurity: Challenging Militarisation and Gendered Norms in Cyberspace
Karolin Rippich, YSC Head of Communications
Photo credit: Americahaus (c)
The panel "Unveiling Feminist Perspectives on Cybersecurity: Challenging Militarisation and Gendered Norms in Cyberspace" at the YSC 2024 delved into the intersection of feminist theories and digital security, with a specific focus on European Union (EU) policies and reforms. The discussion was set against the backdrop of various EU cybersecurity initiatives, such as the Cybersecurity Act, Cyber Resilience Act, Cyber Solidarity Act, and the Digital Services Act. The panel aimed to scrutinise the prevailing narrative of cyberspace as a "hostile" environment and to challenge the militarisation inherent in these frameworks.
Key questions included how current EU cybersecurity strategies impact marginalised groups and civil society, and the importance of incorporating a feminist lens in policy formulation and norm-setting processes. By addressing these issues, the panel sought to highlight the significance of inclusive and human-centric cybersecurity practices. The dialogue also brought in diverse perspectives from around the world to provide a more holistic understanding of the global implications of these EU-centric approaches.
Pavlina Pavlova, #SharetheMic Fellow at New America, emphasised the importance of adopting a human-centric approach to cybersecurity that prioritises the protection of human rights and addresses the vulnerabilities of marginalised groups. She argued that traditional state-centric approaches often neglect the unique challenges faced by these groups, both online and offline. Pavlova highlighted the gender digital divide, noting that women are disproportionately targeted in cyberattacks and often suffer greater consequences. She stated, “Feminist approaches put people first, challenging the state-centric views and addressing how marginalised groups are often overlooked in cybersecurity policies”.
Juraj Majcin, Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre, discussed the need for inclusive policies that recognise the diverse vulnerabilities of different groups. He criticised the current focus on protecting critical infrastructure without sufficient attention to individual users, particularly those from marginalised communities. Majcin advocated for the application of feminist perspectives to ensure that cybersecurity operations comply with international humanitarian law and protect individuals in conflict zones. He emphasised, “What feminist approaches bring is this realisation that different groups and individuals have different vulnerabilities. We need to focus not just on critical infrastructure, but on protecting people”.
Yasmin Al-Douri, co-director and founder of the Responsible Tech Hub, served as the moderator and provided key insights throughout the discussion, Ald-Douri framed the debate by highlighting the increasing militarisation of cyberspace and the need to consider humanitarian aspects in cybersecurity practices. She posed critical questions about the ethical implications of using AI in cyber warfare and the importance of protecting human rights in digital spaces. Al-Douri emphasised, “State-centric approaches often overlook the rights and safety of marginalised groups, urging for more inclusive and human-centric cybersecurity policies”.
Policy Recommendations
Adopt Inclusive Cybersecurity Policies: Incorporate feminist perspectives into cybersecurity policies to ensure the protection of marginalised groups and address their unique vulnerabilities.
Develop Human-Centric Cybersecurity Strategies: Create strategies that prioritise the protection of individual users alongside critical infrastructure.
Apply International Humanitarian Law: Ensure cyber operations comply with international humanitarian law to protect civilians during conflicts.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between governments, non-profits, and tech companies to support victims of cyberattacks and enhance the security of digital infrastructures used by vulnerable groups.
The discussions in this panel underscored the critical need to challenge the prevailing militarisation and state-centric norms in cybersecurity through a feminist lens. By highlighting the unique vulnerabilities faced by marginalised groups and advocating for more inclusive and human-centric approaches, the panellists provided valuable insights into creating more equitable and effective cybersecurity policies. These discussions connect to the broader theme of the conference, "The Two Faces of the EU: Between Reform and Resistance," by emphasising the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in policy making to address complex global challenges.
The panel's focus on feminist cybersecurity was aligned with the conference's aim to explore the EU's commitment to a unified Foreign and Security Policy amidst geopolitical shifts and internal conflicts. Just as the broader conference seeked to understand and overcome the factors impeding a coherent foreign policy of the EU, this panel highlighted the need for comprehensive, inclusive, and human-centric cybersecurity practices to ensure a resilient and secure digital environment. The recommendations put forth in the panel provide concrete steps towards achieving this goal, reflecting the overarching objective of fostering collaborative and comprehensive security strategies.
This policy brief is part of our series on the panels of the #YSC2024. To learn more about our anniversary conference click here.
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