The Double-Edged Sword of Digitalization: Assessing (Cyber)Security in Conflicts, Forced Displacement, and Humanitarian Crises

While digitalization offers significant benefits, such as improved communication, better access to information and timely emergency response, it also introduces new cyber treats, particularly for vulnerable individuals in conflict, forced displacement, and humanitarian crises; in such contexts, where control over digital infrastructure is critical, personal data can be exploited for targeting based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other sensitive factors.
Recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza provide examples of this concerning trend. In Ukraine, for instance, hackers with alleged links to the Russian Federation and Belarus have been accused of stealing and exploiting refugees' data for disinformation purposes. These attacks have not only jeopardized operational efficiency and decision-making in the region but have also raised serious concerns about potential long-term misuse of the exposed data for re-victimization or surveillance purposes. As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into conflict and emergency operations, the urgency to address these threats intensifies. Unfortunately, the rapid implementation of digital tools in these contexts often comes with inadequate cybersecurity measures.
This panel will explore the critical intersection of digitalization and security, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by at-risk groups, especially during conflicts, forced displacement and humanitarian crises. Key questions to discuss include: What are the security implications of digitalization for vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict zones or along migration pathways? How can international organizations, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders develop strategies to protect these individuals from state-sponsored cyber threats?
By examining these issues, the panel aims to foster a meaningful dialogue on the relationship between digitalization and security in emergency contexts and to suggest practical solutions to safeguard vulnerable individuals.