Digital Security and Privacy for Human Rights Defenders

Description: Commissioned and published by Front Line, the manual aims to educate human rights activists around the world on issues concerning their digital security and privacy. It aims to raise awareness of today's vulnerabilities, areas of insecurity, legislation changes around the world to stem privacy and freedom of the Internet, as well as provide solutions to resolving some of these issues.

Application: The First Section is about understanding your security needs and vulnerabilities. It describes a non-technical approach to the digital environment. A method of mapping the threats, posed by a particular situation, is offered to help you decide on the strategies for implementing privacy and security solutions.

The Second Section lists various elements of computer and Internet security. It introduces the reader to computer operations and Internet infrastructure. Methods of securing data, bypassing Internet censorship and protecting yourself against malicious attacks are explained in detail.

The Third Section is a summary of worldwide legislation to restrict and monitor information flow and communications. It shows the downward trend, caused by the growth of restrictions to the rights to freedom of expression, privacy and communication, in many countries. Cases of human rights defenders currently in prison or persecuted because of their work through the Internet are presented as examples of the ways some governments enforce these pieces of legislation.

The Fourth Section drafts possible scenarios for human rights defenders and their organisations of dealing with problems of electronic insecurity and ensuring continuation of their work. The scenarios relate to the concepts presented throughout the book and solutions are based on realisable actions.

Language: English, Spanish

Website: http://frontlinedefenders.org/esecman

Release date:  updated December 2009

Written by Dmitri Vitaliev