Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)

DCAF – The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance is dedicated to improving the security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and gender equality. Since its founding in 2000, DCAF has contributed to making peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states, and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms. It creates innovative knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides legal and policy advice and supports capacity‐building of both state and non‐state security sector stakeholders. DCAF’s Foundation Council members represent over 50 countries and the Canton of Geneva. Active in over 60 countries, DCAF is internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for security sector governance (SSG) and security sector reform (SSR). DCAF is guided by the principles of neutrality, impartiality, local ownership, inclusive participation, and gender equality.

Digital activities

DCAF’s Cybersecurity Governance Programme promotes effective and accountable cybersecurity governance and cybersecurity policymaking, which involves the state, the private sector, the technical community, civil society representatives, and the general public. We work in partnership with international organisations such as ITU, FIRST, OSCE, GFCE, and the EU.

DCAF’s research project, ‘Digitalization and SSG/R: Projections into the Future’ aims to assess the overarching impact of digitalisation on the security sector. It also explores the role of SSG/R in the digital space, as well as the corresponding challenges and opportunities for security sector actors.

AI is evolving rapidly and is contributing to a wide array of economic and societal advancements. By improving prediction, optimising operations and resource allocation, and personalising digital solutions available for individuals and organisations, the use of AI can provide key competitive advantages. Alongside its potential benefits, AI is increasingly seen as a double-edged sword, creating conditions that can perpetuate social inequalities, erode human rights, undermine democracy and good governance, and cause harm. 

The provision of surveillance equipment and services to government authorities and private clients has risen dramatically in recent years. When law enforcement and intelligence agencies are adequately regulated and overseen, these capacities have the potential to assist in law enforcement and border management, as well as in counterterrorism operations. However, surveillance services and technologies are also under intense scrutiny for the danger they can represent for democracy, human rights, and good security-sector governance.

Digital policy issues

Cybersecurity

The increasing access of people to cyberspace and its resources affects our daily lives and has a considerable impact on our societies. It has already profoundly transformed the way we live, work, and interact. Cyberspace offers countless opportunities for economic development, social interaction, and political exchange. On the flip side, it has provided tools to conduct illegal surveillance, collect personal data, influence democratic processes, commit crimes, and change the means and methods of warfare. 

These challenges require multiple responses, and governments, the private sector, and civil society must come together to address the challenges of cybersecurity governance. Legal and policy frameworks will also have to adapt to better respect and implement international human rights norms while effectively combating cybercrime, malicious cyber activities, and cyberattacks, as well as the use of the internet for terrorist purposes and the promotion of violent extremism. Only vigorous action to address these issues will promote a secure, stable, and open cyberspace.

DCAF’s Cybersecurity Governance Programme implements projects that focus on improving cybersecurity law and policies, increasing the capacities of cybersecurity actors, and strengthening accountability in cybersecurity. We work in partnership with international organisations such as ITU, FIRST, OSCE, GFCE, and the EU.

Digitalisation, new technologies, and access 

Digitalisation is reshaping many domains of social life. Surveillance technologies are as much an ordinary part of contemporary public life as smartphones and social media have restructured human relations. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence have created a new arena for security sector actors to carry out their duties. While AI’s transformative potential has gained significant attention from policymakers and scholars, it is increasingly seen as a double-edged sword, creating conditions that can perpetuate social inequalities, erode human rights, undermine democracy and good governance, and cause harm. Digitalisation redesigns existing governance structures and security provision practices, while promoting new patterns of coordination and decision-making across national security institutions. Against this backdrop, the security sector is becoming increasingly more aware of the importance of adopting and implementing robust digitalisation processes. 

However, the growing dependency of the security sector on new digital technologies is leading to a more complex threat landscape, with an increasing number of critical failure points. Thus, as an emerging security challenge, digitalisation has the potential to both enhance and disrupt existing frameworks of good governance and security provision, due to the emergence of new technologies and actors, all engaging in an uncharted digital space. Like other spaces such as land, sea, or airspace, digital space is viewed as a new dimension that extends beyond national borders (similar to outer space). 

DCAF’s research project ‘Digitalization and SSG/R: Projections into the Future aims to assess the overarching impact of digitalisation on the security sector. It also explores the role of SSG/R in the digital space, as well as the corresponding challenges and opportunities for security sector actors. This project utilises the Delphi method, a well-known and validated research forecasting framework based on the results of three rounds of questionnaires, with the aim of collecting data and perspectives to map out the current status quo and to establish consensus on SSG/R entry points in the digital space.

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