NCUC Trip Proposal 4

2) Traveler Contact Information and Itinerary:

Cycon is the leading European conference on cyber defence. It's themes usually are those relating to cyberwar and humanitarian law (i.e. in 2013 the theme was the use of automated weapons in cyber conflict). This years theme, exceptionally, is "Architectures in Cyberspace", and much of of the program relates to issues of internet governance and structure. Many of the attendees are active in areas related to internet governance but are not directly involved in IG institutions and may not have a complete understanding off ICANN. By participating I hope to be able to give conference attendees, which include some of the most prominent military officials in Europe, a better understanding of ICANN and our processes. In addition, some of the academics and humanitarian organisational officials invited to this years conference are active in IG institutions generally but not in ICANN. I would hope to interest them in joining and participating in our community.

I have participated in some past activities organised by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and do believe there is widespread misunderstanding of the role and nature of ICANN within the organisation. For example, in 2013 I attended a NATO CCD COE symposium on cyberwar ethics at the Italian Ministry of Defence where ICANN was called, alternately, an intergovernmental organisation and a division of the United States Department of Commerce. This conference is a great opportunity to correct some misguided perceptions about ICANN amongst defence officials and cyber conflict academics.