Description
CyberPeace Builders is a volunteer programme operated by the CyberPeace Institute that mobilises corporate cybersecurity professionals to provide pro bono technical assistance to NGOs and humanitarian organisations that lack adequate cyber defences. Volunteers from partner companies — including major technology, financial, and consulting firms — conduct cybersecurity assessments, assist with incident response, develop security policies, and deliver training tailored to the specific operational contexts of non-profit and civil society organisations. The programme addresses the systemic vulnerability of humanitarian actors who handle sensitive data about conflict-affected populations but lack the resources to maintain robust cybersecurity. For civil-defence cooperation, CyberPeace Builders exemplifies a scalable public-private partnership model that leverages private sector expertise and personnel to strengthen the cyber resilience of civilian organisations operating in high-risk environments.
Geographical Scope
Global, with operations in over 50 countries. The programme prioritises organisations working in conflict-affected or crisis-prone regions, with significant activity in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Relevance to Civil-Defence Cooperation
This practice addresses the following cooperation needs identified in the COcyber needs assessment (D2.2). Filled squares indicate needs directly addressed by the practice.
- Fragmentation of cybersecurity efforts
- Lack of information-sharing
- Lack of awareness capacity
- Lack of dual-use technologies
- Lack of coordinated policies
- Lack of cross-pollination
- Lack of cutting-edge innovation
- Cultural differences
Benefits & Challenges
Anticipated Benefits
- Leverages private sector cybersecurity expertise at scale to strengthen the resilience of civil society and humanitarian organisations that could not otherwise afford professional support.
- Creates structured channels for public-private cooperation in cybersecurity that extend beyond commercial relationships.
- Builds cybersecurity awareness and capacity within organisations that handle sensitive data about vulnerable populations, reducing humanitarian risk.
- Provides a replicable model for civil-defence cooperation that can be adapted to strengthen the civilian security posture in pre-conflict or post-crisis contexts.
Anticipated Challenges
- Sustaining corporate volunteer engagement over time requires ongoing coordination and incentive structures that can be difficult to maintain at scale.
- Volunteer-delivered assistance may vary in quality and consistency, requiring robust quality assurance mechanisms.
- NGOs and humanitarian organisations may face organisational or cultural barriers to implementing cybersecurity recommendations from external volunteers.
- Scaling the programme to reach a significant proportion of the global humanitarian sector requires substantially greater funding and coordination capacity.
