ICTs for Safety & Security: International case study

On the occasion of the recent past editions (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014) of the WSIS Forum, MEDICI organised different workshops to showcase the richness of applications and services provided by ICTs in the field of safety, security and disaster recovery and management and to contribute to provide a reference point for all those working in these sectors and those who may take advantage from their outcomes. Looking from a different perspective the aim was to promote a risk assessment approach in the field of cyber technologies. This year, we continued this path, selecting international case studies that have aided both safety and security. The panel of experts also highlighted new sectors and the need to enrich the platform of skills and competencies involved. Speakers looked at the need for training across the area of ICT and educational development across technological areas. Panellists also identified some ongoing and unresolved challenges providing an overview of current trends. In addition, they widely discussed the aspect of trust, media influence and political will/willingness. Safety and security are integral part of human rights; the panel of experts reinforced that we must provide all the efforts in order to guarantee such rights (as stated in art 3, 22, 25 - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights). In addition, panellists discussed that a number of SDGs are tightly connected or rely on safety and security: SDG 2, SDG3, SDG6, SGD6, SDG7, SDG8, SDG9, SDG11, SDG16, SDG17. Some of the specific fields are: food & water security, human security, safety, critical infrastructure resilience, drugs security and more. Nowadays, the demand for "safety & security" in all its forms has increased, especially quantitatively and qualitatively, making clear the need for new approaches to enable the entire sector to ensure better results. And work collectively together (Governments, industry, academia etc., together). As already stated, looking from a different perspective: panellists outlined the role of ICTs in risks assessment and management. ICT plays a key role in a number of “risky” scenarios from health and child abuse to Homeland Security and law enforcement – across, crimes, trafficking (humans, drugs, weapons, artefacts, etc.) and even safety on working places and mobility. Of course, technology it is not enough to solve problems, it is well known and demonstrated that a holistic, interdisciplinary approach and a culture of "safety & security" taking adequately into account human factors are the basis in order to obtain good results in this area. We must promote an interdisciplinary approach and a “culture” of safety & security, they are the basis in order to obtain good results in this area; foster the exchange of experiences and best practices among countries and promote research thanks to the WSIS. However, the panel of experts discussed the need for balance when using some technology – such as AI. Both stressed the need for appropriate governance systems. There is a need to add reassurance to citizens that technology is being respected in terms of the potential for abuse and harm. This, going ahead, will be a challenge that governments’ and manufacturers’ need to recognise in terms of ensuring legislation, policies and practices are in place. For whilst new and advancing technologies can contribute to society in terms of both safety and security, misuse and purposeful negative acts will be detrimental in terms of achieving further advancements to benefit society. Dealing with converging digital and physical security to secure Smart Cities and Citizens in Africa experts outlined that technology brings forth a number of benefits, and at the same time comes with a number of challenges such as possibilities to aid crime, terrorism, vandalism, accidents, and so forth. In large and complex environments, the use of physical security is still considered superior over digital security, particularly in protecting assets and people. Digital security is often relegated to protecting computers and information systems ignoring the fact that digital security nowadays plays a very critical role, especially in the 4th industrial revolution, where physical and cyber security cannot be separated. Applying a case study set in South Africa, this specific talk demonstrates how Physical and Digital Security can be converged in order to complement each other to protect and secure smart cities and citizens in Africa, especially where crime and terrorists’ activities are on the rise. Based on the results of the use case, it is apparent that converging physical and digital security will yield positive benefits, not only in protecting data and information systems, but also detecting, responding and recovering from incidents (physical and digital) that affect people and processes within smart cities and villages. On the occasion of previous editions of the WSIS Forum (e.g. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) some eminent speakers underlined the key-role played by ICTs on the occasion of natural disasters and other critical events, they said that cyber technologies have fuelled the hope of people affected by the natural disaster. This year experts also addressed the contribution of ICT in preventing and addressing natural disasters in Asia. The availability of low price - high performance devices and the proactive activity of clever developers have boosted the production of a number of smart solutions spread in different countries all-over the world. The discussion of international case studies this year highlights first of all the trans- boundary nature of high-level security events, especially natural and climate disasters. Second, it is no longer practical to provide and distribute reactive, response technologies to impacted areas; we need to be using IT as well as grounded human knowledge during the slow-onset disasters that precede and worsen larger ones. In conclusion due to the actual “silos” segmenting these sectors it is quite difficult to have a comprehensive vision on these resources and success stories, there is a need for a holistic approach and best practice sharing. The Internet of things, A.I. / machine learning, grids, network of sensors, remote sensing as well as near field communication, as well as unmanned vehicles, were recognised to contribute to both safety and security, by providing a network and building blocks for safety and security in different fields But again there is a need for caution in terms of recognising some of the risks too.