⏱ 1 min read
Background
The ICRC has been running the "Digital Emblem Project" for several years. The system is meant to be the digital equivalent of the Red Cross flag displayed on a building. In 2022, a cyberattack compromised around 515,000 ICRC records.
The key points
Microsoft is partnering with the ICRC to create an open technical standard protecting humanitarian and medical infrastructure online. Natasha Crampton, Microsoft's Chief Responsible AI Officer, presented the partnership at CERN, on the sidelines of the AI for Good Summit, according to Bilan.
The emblem will send a signal in cyberspace, readable whatever technology is used. This is not about deploying a Microsoft product, she says. Microsoft contributes its threat intelligence and standardisation experience.
Key figures
- Around 515,000 records compromised in the 2022 cyberattack on the ICRC.
What it means for businesses
The standard must be usable by many systems, developed by Microsoft or by others. The IETF and the ITU are also involved in the work. The hacked records concerned people who were displaced, separated from their families or detained.
Who says what
For Natasha Crampton, the emblem is above all a signal whose effectiveness depends on its recognition. She does not claim it will prevent all violations. She hopes it will become a deterrent in cyberspace.
What's next
The phase announced covers technical testing and standards development, not yet deployment. No precise timetable has been set. The emblem will be decentralised, and each competent authority will decide how it is displayed.
Further reading
Sources
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