The Handbook is an open-source resource designed to help parliaments develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that parliaments and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools to limit risk, and tips and links to additional resources that can help a parliament implement such recommendations. The Handbook was produced by NDI and the House Democracy Partnership (HDP).
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world as many countries experienced high infection rates and overburdened healthcare systems throughout 2020 and 2021 while attempting to rapidly develop vaccines, obtain vaccines from foreign manufacturers, and identify new treatments. However, throughout the early months of the pandemic, Taiwan, an island country of over 23 million people, experienced mostly single digit case numbers and no deaths.
With the highest internet access in the western Balkans, Kosovo faces vast threats to its information integrity. NDI’s global mission in supporting and strengthening democratic institutions recognizes this growing threat to democratic institutions and political and social fabrics globally. While the internet has empowered billions with access to knowledge, it has also empowered those seeking to undermine democracy.
The Handbook is an open-source resource designed to help political parties develop an understandable and implementable cybersecurity plan. It includes explanations of key security topics that parties and their staff should be aware of, essential strategies and recommended tools to limit risk, and tips and links to additional resources that can help a party implement such recommendations.
Sarah Moulton
Sarah Moulton is the Deputy Director for NDI’s Democracy and Technology team. She works with NDI’s staff and partners to design and deploy technology solutions across NDI’s global portfolio of programs, specializing in cybersecurity and internet freedom issues. Throughout her career she has focused on the use of technology to enhance access to information, economic opportunities, and civic participation and has extensive experience implementing technology-based approaches in challenging contexts, particularly closed societies and conflict-affected communities.
Internet governance refers to the processes to make decisions about how the internet is managed locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. This sociotechnical infrastructure (which includes the people, practices, standards and institutions that govern different components of the internet) has evolved in a way that is often indifferent to questions of human rights, justice and democracy.
The future of open societies in the digital age depends on the ability of those who believe in democracy and human rights to effectively and safely make use of the internet. Despite significant investments made by the US government and other donors, as well as the efforts of global democracy implementers to develop Internet Freedom and cybersecurity tools to keep at-risk groups connected and secure, the rapid evolution and proliferation of aggressive tactics from digital authoritarians have made democracy and rights organizations less safe than ever online.
April 13, 2022
On October 17, 2021, Kosovo’s voters went to the polls for the fourth local election in 13 years since independence in 2008. The vote elected the mayors and members of assemblies in 38 municipalities, with the post of mayor changing parties in thirteen municipalities. The Self Determination Movement (LVV) did not capitalize on its support gained in the parliamentary elections in February 2021. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won the most mayoral posts and seats in the local assemblies, reversing their decline seen in the February elections.