CBM 2: Points of Contact

Background: CBM 2 seeks to strengthen regional cyber stability by designating national PoCs at both diplomatic and technical levels. These PoCs serve as reliable channels for timely communication in the event of cyber incidents, allowing states to clarify intent, share information, and reduce the risk of escalation. By facilitating coordinated dialogue on cybersecurity at national, regional, and international levels, the measure fosters trust and cooperation while ensuring that every member state has an established, dependable link for both diplomatic and technical engagement on cyber issues.

Practice: Most member states have recently nominated their PoCs. In addition to nominating PoCs, coordination between the technical and diplomatic PoCs at the national level should ideally take place. The next step will be to ensure coordination between technical and diplomatic PoCs within each state, and to establish procedures for regularly updating contact information - possibly through “ping tests” or similar mechanisms. The ECOWAS Commission is tasked with managing the PoC network, though it remains to be seen whether the directory will be made accessible via a dedicated web portal. A distinctive feature of this CBM is the encouragement for states to nominate the same PoCs they use for the UN’s Global PoC Directory (UN CBM 1). This promotes consistency, strengthens cross-regional cooperation, and builds on existing structures. This explicit reference is due to the fact that the Global PoC Directory already existed at the time this CBM was formulated.

Implementation is therefore still in its infancy, but is already meeting with widespread approval. It remains to be seen to what extent the directory will actually be used and updated in the future. Thus, it is implemented, but not widely yet.

• All member states have nominated diplomatic and technical points of contact, establishing the foundation for regional communication.

• Implementation is supported by the ECOWAS Commission's management of the PoC network, plans for a dedicated directory and web portal, alignment with the UN Global PoC Directory, and future procedures for regular contact verification through ping tests.