Leeds Beckett Professor addresses United Nations Security Council on Cybersecurity

The high-level Security Council debate on Cybersecurity, which took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, was a signature event of the Republic of Korea's June presidency and was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Tae-yul.

Professor Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo's invitation to brief the UN Security Council highlights her expertise in the global discourse on cybersecurity. She addressed the Security Council alongside the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Stéphane Duguin, CEO of the CyberPeace Institute.

The United Nations Security Council is increasingly focused on addressing the critical role of cybersecurity in maintaining international peace and security. The recent debate aimed to foster a unified approach among member states to enhance the Security Council's effectiveness in addressing cyber threats.

During the debate, council members discussed national cybersecurity priorities, emphasising the national security implications of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Discussions also covered the impact of digital technology misuse on human rights and democratic processes.

Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo, Professor in Law and Technology at Leeds Beckett University, said: "It is important for the Security Council to develop mechanisms for understanding the cyber threat landscape across regions. This will allow for making informed decisions on regulating security and stability.

"Existing cooperation between the UN and regional organisations in maintaining international peace and security should now include an agenda on cybersecurity."

Nnenna's teaching and research interests focus primarily on the governance of digital technologies, cybersecurity, digital rights, and the rule of law in cyberspace. She is a Technology and Human Rights Fellow at the Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University and Chair of the Cybercrime Working Group of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE).

She has partnered with various organisations to deliver research projects aimed at shaping academic and policy discourses on the governance of digital technologies.

Leeds Law School is a key educator of legal professionals in the Leeds and West Yorkshire region and works extensively with law firms and other businesses to support students with work placements and employers to hire talented graduates who will energise their team and support the local community.