Every year in May, the UN Security Council (UNSC) holds its annual debate on the Protection of Civilians (PoC). In a concept note for the 2025 iteration held under the presidency of Greece, civilian protection was reinforced as a cornerstone of the UNSC’s agenda and as a core obligation under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL). The note also highlights that the nature of armed conflict has undergone profound changes in recent years, including due to the emergence of new technologies of warfare and cyber threats. In a world of constant bloodshed and what feels like an increasingly inconsistent commitment to international law, it can be challenging to view cyber and digital security as being as dire of a threat to civilians in the way that bombs, drones, and blockades are.
Protecting Civilians in Cyberspace: A UN Security Council Imperative • Stimson Center
