RightsCon Toronto 2018

High capability actors like China and Russia, as well as less predictable states such as Iran and North Korea, are increasingly willing to use cyberspace to further “policy by other means,” and high intent actors like cyber criminals, terrorists, and ideological groups are increasingly capable through recruitment and dark markets. In this session panelists will expand on the evolving use of states-directed offensive and espionage activities in cyberspace. The internet and connected systems are predominately owned by non-government entities and individuals, who bear the brunt of the harm and impact from such activities. The panel will open with brief introductions from panelists working on security at global companies. The first part of the discussion will then focus on the threat of state actors and their changing manifestations (through proxies, obfuscating their capabilities, etc.), as well as public policy and diplomatic options to respond to those threats. The second half of the conversation will then focus specifically on the implications of these changes, giving the audience an understanding of how stakes, restraint, and unintended consequences have and will continue to play out, as well as the challenges in applying existing and developing international norms and laws. Finally, all speakers will be asked to identify the most concerning emerging threats and trends that they see and to forecast how we must adapt to overcome them. An open round of questions with the audience will close the session.