Four of our GHRD team members attended the session, Strengthening Cyber Security in the NGO Community, organized by the Humanity Hub in the Hague. It was very interesting and eye-opening to us, with many new insights we had not thought of yet.

The session aims to facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices and trends on challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity for a vital sector. The session aims to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity measures and equip NGOs with practical insights to mitigate risks effectively. It provides a platform for networking and fostering connections among NGOs to promote collaboration and information exchange in tackling cyber threats.

The session is for humanitarian, development, and peace NGOs in The Hague and beyond, professionals working in the non-profit sector, program managers, heads of IT, and other relevant positions. Common challenges include data protection, complexity, risk management, multilevel understanding, human factors, and threat prevention.

Speakers Afef Abrougui and Stephane Duguin discussed the intersection of technology and human rights, the importance of cybersecurity, and the difference between digital and cybersecurity. They highlighted the need for big companies and NGOs to pay attention to cyber threats, as they can make everything go down.

The Cyber Peace Institute offers a volunteer-based program to provide free cybersecurity to those in need, focusing on pre- and post-incident responses. They emphasize the importance of committing to securing and adapting to the needs of NGOs, as they are doing great work with little resources.