Geopolitical Cybersecurity Regulation: When Systems Collide

Geopolitical cybersecurity regulation: when technological and international systems collide

What happens when the approach to cybersecurity moves from one of international cooperation to one of international competition? Drawing from his recently published book, “Geopolitical Union: Europe’s Attempt to Take Back Control of Technology Regulation”, and work conducted in the Digital Sovereignty by Design ESRC project, Benjamin Farrand examines the ways in which the return of big power politics in an environment of international instability is reshaping the approach to cybercrime and cybersecurity. From contestation over the form and substance of the UN Cybercrime Convention, to the attempts to influence cybersecurity rules and norms through international organisations, and the increased concerns over access to cutting-edge AI models, and the chips and rare earths that support them, cybersecurity is increasingly seen as a zero-sum game, with significant implications for the future of technology regulation.

This hybrid event can be attended in-person at the University of Portsmouth (Park Building, Room 2.07) or online. Please select an in-person or online ticket at during registration.

Guest Speaker Biography:

Benjamin Farrand is Professor of Law & Emerging Technologies at Newcastle University, UK. His research on technology regulation has been published in journals such as the European Journal of Risk Regulation, the Journal of Common Market Studies and International Affairs. His recent book, Geopolitical Union: Europe’s Attempt to Take Back Control of Technology Regulation, was published by Cambridge University Press in February 2026. He was Principal Investigator on the ESRC Discribe Hub+ project ‘Digital Sovereignty by Design, and is currently the regulation and governance lead for the Newcastle University Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research.'

This event has been organised by the Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth.

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Host or Publisher University of Portsmouth