Digital Sovereignty in a Fragmented World: Power, Control, and the Future of Global Order
2025-06-18 16:30 - 18:00 (Europe/Zurich) | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
In this public lecture, Przemyslaw Roguski, assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law, will explain how the digital revolution has reshaped how nations govern, compete, and interact with each other. It has also changed States’ abilities to exercise power – both regulatory and direct – without regard to distance and borders. For instance, the US passed legislation allowing it to compel cloud storage companies to hand over data stored anywhere in the world – irrespective of the citizenship of the data holder. China requires its companies to cooperate with the PLA and intelligence services in the use of any technical equipment, both at home and abroad. And Japan passed legislation allowing its police to remotely “disinfect” or even shut down servers located abroad, without the consent of the owner or the territorial State. What does this mean for us users, businesses, Swiss and Europeans?

This lecture explores the urgent global debate over digital sovereignty: the struggle by states to control data, technologies, and infrastructures within their borders. Drawing from a comparative analysis of Europe, the United States, China, and Russia, we examine how divergent visions of sovereignty are rewriting the rules of international law and geopolitics. From the TikTok ban to cross-border cyber operations, this talk will unpack the clash between democratic values, state control, and corporate power. We will confront critical questions: How do China’s “cyber sovereignty” policies and Russia’s “sovereign internet” model challenge Western ideals of an open internet? Can nations balance security and innovation without sacrificing civil liberties? Is a “Sovereignty 2.0” framework possible in an era of escalating U.S.-China rivalry? And how should small nations navigate their interests in this new digital economy.

Dr. Roguski is an assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law and Principal Investigator at the “Sovereignty 2.0 – ‘digital sovereignty’ in light of public international law” project, which is financed with a grant from the Polish National Science Council (NCN). His research focuses on the law of peacetime cyber operations and different aspects of international law relating to cybersecurity, ICT and internet governance. Dr. Roguski holds law degrees from the University of Mainz (Germany), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and a PhD in international law from Jagiellonian University. He is a Senior Advisor at ICT4Peace Foundation.

Workshop: Sovereignty 2.0: Legal and Strategic Dimensions of Digital Governance
2025-06-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
This workshop with Przemyslaw Roguski convenes policymakers, legal scholars, technologists, and industry leaders to dissect the multifaceted legal and geopolitical implications of digital sovereignty. The session will provide a structured yet fluid exploration of how Europe, the United States, China, and Russia are redefining state authority in the digital age, with particular emphasis on regulatory frameworks, strategic competition, and emerging governance dilemmas.

The workshop begins by mapping divergent facets of digital sovereignty debate, concentrating on four main points: cross-border offensive cyber operations, extraterritorial jurisdiction, cross-border data flows and technological decoupling. Participants will analyse and discuss policies and legislation of the four big actors addressing these four issues with the view of discerning trends, commonalities and divergences. The outcome of this part of the workshop should be a heightened understanding of the four main approaches: souveraineté à la Européenne (EU), sovereignty through market share (US), multipolar sovereignty (RU) and sovereignty within a “community of shared future” (CN).

Building on this comparative foundation, the workshop will next shifts focus to emergent challenges complicating traditional sovereignty paradigms and probe the compatibility of the divergent approaches in a world of escalating geopolitical tensions. Discussions will focus on matters such as the EU’s Cloud Certification scheme and its impact on cross-border data flows, or the feasibility of technological decoupling—evident in U.S. semiconductor export controls and China’s retaliatory AI investment surges—through the lens of international law and norms.

The workshop culminates in a forward-looking debate on Sovereignty 2.0 – a reconceptualization of state power that accounts for current and future disruptive digital technologies, and lessons which can and must be learned and implemented by States and companies wishing to navigate the new geopolitical reality, while remaining rooted in the rules-based international order.

Dr. Roguski is an assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law and Principal Investigator at the “Sovereignty 2.0 – ‘digital sovereignty’ in light of public international law” project, which is financed with a grant from the Polish National Science Council (NCN). His research focuses on the law of peacetime cyber operations and different aspects of international law relating to cybersecurity, ICT and internet governance. Dr. Roguski holds law degrees from the University of Mainz (Germany), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and a PhD in international law from Jagiellonian University. He is a Senior Advisor at ICT4Peace Foundation.

OSINT Playdate #2
2025-07-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re introducing a series of OSINT playdates throughout the year. We will apply what we’ve learned and solve some puzzles together. The exercises will focus on solving, exchanging different approaches, techniques, and best practices, and of course, to meet likeminded OSINTers.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The second playdate will be on the 4. July 2025, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

Hack the Box Meet Up Zurich @CYREN ZH
2025-07-10 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re happy to host some of the Hack the Box Meet Ups Zurich! Read more, follow the group and register for the events here: https://www.meetup.com/hack-the-box-meetup-zurich-ch

Anyone who is interested in cybersecurity and penetration testing should join this group. The purpose of the meet up is to meet other infosec enthusiasts, discuss, exchange knowledge regarding cybersecurity, hack machines from Hack The Box dedicated to this gathering and enjoy.

OSINT Playdate #3
2025-10-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re introducing a series of OSINT playdates throughout the year. We will apply what we’ve learned and solve some puzzles together. The exercises will focus on solving, exchanging different approaches, techniques, and best practices, and of course, to meet likeminded OSINTers.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The second playdate will be on the 24. October 2025, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

🔒 Unlocking Insights 2025: Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Lunch Talks Series 🔒
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00
This is an online event, no need to register!

At this cybersecurity talk on Zoom, Karim Khamaisi will share how people can stay connected when the mobile network fails. He will present a practical setup that combines a small radio network with an easy-to-use phone app, so neighbours and volunteers can coordinate even without an Internet connection.

In a crisis, you still need to message family, ask for help, and trust what you read. Field tests in Zürich showed working connections up to about 1.2 km, with 92% of messages delivered successfully. The app supports peer-to-peer messaging, simple identity checks, and community moderation.

The paper:https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.22568

🚀 Join our quarterly lunch series where cybersecurity researchers converge to share, discuss, and refine their work. Explore interdisciplinary perspectives, present your projects, and foster connections in this collaborative environment. Elevate your understanding and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Join us on Zoom: https://uzh.zoom.us/j/62539031345?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting-ID: 625 3903 1345Kenncode: 184540

The EU AI Act – Opportunities, Challenges and Perspectives
2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zürich, Raum: RAA-G-01 (kleine Aula), Rämistrasse 59, Zürich, 8001
Is the EU AI Act a regulatory burden or a competitive advantage for Europe? And how does it affect Switzerland?

The EU AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence — a bold attempt to turn Europe’s values into rules for the digital age. But beyond the legal text, what does it really mean for innovation, responsibility, and trust in AI? How will it shape the daily work of professionals in cybersecurity, governance, and technology — and what new opportunities might it unlock?Join us to explore what’s at stake as AI moves from experimentation to regulation.

We warmly invite you to an engaging panel discussion on the EU AI Act, exploring its opportunities, challenges, and implications for practice. Following the discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the five co-hosting organizations and their work at the intersection of security, technology, governance, and society:

ISACA Switzerland Chapter

CYRENZH

DSI Community Cybersecurity

DSI Community AI Law

ETH Cyber Group

The evening will conclude with an apéro and networking session, offering space to continue the conversation in an informal setting, exchange ideas, and connect with peers from different disciplines.

Program

Welcome & Introduction

Panel Discussion: The EU AI Act – Opportunities, Challenges, and Perspectives

Apéro, Networking & chance to learn more about the co-hosting Organizations

OSINT Playdate #4
2025-12-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the fifth OSINT Playdate in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! This year, we will try to change a bit the format, by focusing each time on one OSINT technique.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The fifth playdate will be on the 20. February 2026, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

OSINT Playdate #6 – Transportation
2026-04-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the OSINT Playdate #6 in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! (Read more about the past playdates)

In 2026, we will adopt a slightly different approach, focusing on a different OSINT technique each time. This time, it will be transportation. The date will be 17 April 2026 at 3 pm. It is open to OSINT Switzerland members and CYRENZH students, and attendance is in-person only.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

If you would like to attend, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let them know, since seats are limited!

OSINT Playdate #9 – Archives
2026-10-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
And here comes the OSINT Playdate #9 in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! (Read more about the past playdates). This time, we will focus on archives. the event is open to OSINT Switzerland members and CYRENZH students, and attendance is in-person only.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

If you would like to attend, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let them know, since seats are limited!
