The Parliamentary Forum “The Triple Challenge of Cyber-Security: Information, Citizens and Infrastructure” was held from 18 to 20 May 2011 at the Headquarters of the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was co-organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It was the fourth meeting of members of parliament focusing on issues relating to the Information Society organized within the framework of the Global Centre for ICT in Parliament, a partnership initiative launched by UN/DESA and the IPU at the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) in 2005.

The aim of the Forum series is to further dialogue among legislators on parliamentary actions that can contribute to the shaping of the future Information Society in view of the WSIS implementation, follow-up and future 2015 review. It also intends to strengthen the interaction at international level between members of parliaments and representatives of international organizations working in this domain with a view to identifying good parliamentary practices for the advancement of ICT-related policies in favour of the internationally-agreed development goals, including the MDGs.

The fourth meeting focused on the representative, law-making and oversight responsibilities of members of parliaments in the area of cybersecurity. It addressed the particular challenges posed by the illicit use of information and communication technologies (ICT), such as the safeguarding of citizens in the connected environment; the protection of State information, data and infrastructures; and the transnational response to cybercrime.

The Parliamentary Forum aimed to further the dialogue among legislators on the different strategic and political priorities implemented at the national level, outline a broad perspective of different national engagements directed at responding to the challenge discussed, delineate the role and responsibilities of parliaments in their legislative and oversight functions with respect to the topic addressed, identify good parliamentary practices and draw recommendations for action by legislatures.

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