CBM 11: Regular IWG meetings
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Measure
CBM 11 (2013): Participating States will, at the level of designated national experts, meet at least three times each year, within the framework of the Security Committee and its Informal Working Group established by Permanent Council Decision No. 1039 to discuss information exchanged and explore appropriate development of CBMs. Candidates for future consideration by the IWG may include inter alia proposals from the Consolidated List circulated by the Chairmanship of the IWG under PC.DEL/12/682 on 9 July 2012, subject to discussion and consensus agreement prior to adoption.
Background: This CBM establishes a regular dialogue mechanism, requiring participating states to meet at least three times per year through the IWG under the Security Committee. These expert-level meetings bring together national delegates and cyber/ICT security specialists to review the implementation of existing cyber CBMs, share national updates, and consider the development of new measures based on previously proposed ideas, such as those from the 2012 Consolidated List. Operating by consensus, the IWG promotes cooperation by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among participating states.
Practice: The wide implementation of this CBM has been well established for years: participating states, through their designated national experts, meet at least three times per year in the IWG. These meetings provide a central platform for exchanging views on cyber/ICT security issues and advancing the practical implementation of CBMs. The IWG is chaired by a designated leader who sets the agenda, with a standing item for sharing national implementation updates. These updates are delivered through a tour de table, often complemented by presentations on national cybersecurity strategies, public-private partnerships, and specific CBM activities presented by the corresponding adopters. The OSCE Secretariat’s TNTD also provides updates, such as the results of CommsChecks under CBM 8. Meetings are frequently held alongside implementation activities, including tabletop exercises and conferences like the annual CiO conference in the chairing state, offering opportunities for in-person engagement and helping put a face to PoC contacts, thereby strengthening the human network supporting CBM implementation.
This CBM is cross-cutting, linked to many other CBMs focused on information exchange and monitoring the broader framework. Its implementation is verifiable, with regular meetings and consistently high participation over the years. Regarding the possibility of adopting further CBMs mentioned in the CBM, it is worth noting that five additional CBMs were adopted in 2016 (CBM 12-16). However, in 2017, it was decided not to adopt any more cyber CBMs at this time, and to focus on implementing the existing ones instead.
Key Implementation Activities and Resources
National experts meet four times a year in the IWG to exchange implementation updates, discuss cyber/ICT security issues, and share national experiences.
Implementation is supported by the OSCE Secretariat’s TNTD managing the IWG structure.