Security in its broadest sense has become one of the most central issues facing the world today, from terrorism to protection of infrastructure to personal security issues and information security. The age of globalization has witnessed not only increasing interdependence and mobility of capital, goods and people but also the growing interconnectedness of global challenges and their diverse effects on citizens everywhere. This interdependence, highlighted by technological advances resulting in a web of interrelated networks, has increased vulnerability to security threats. The exchange of information and knowledge across borders has become critical in the development of cooperative and effective international responses to these challenges.

Building on the tradition of Switzerland, and Geneva, of bringing multi-stakeholder groups together on neutral ground, the Geneva Security Forum will focus on new threats, future security challenges and the integral role of IT, with the goal of finding interoperable solutions that reach across cultural, religious, economic and geographical divides. The interconnectedness of today’s security threats requires a coordinated response involving the key players from relevant sectors of business, government, intergovernmental organizations, academia and civil society. Bridges need to be built and compromises found if we are to build a safer world for our children. The Geneva Security Forum is optimally placed to perform this critical and urgent global service.

• Stakeholders: The Geneva Security Forum stakeholders include business, government and civil society engaged in, or concerned about the protection of assets and prevention of loss.
• The Geneva Factor: The Geneva Security Forum is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva offers a highly skilled labour force, a culture of neutrality and privacy and a national sense of international diplomacy.
• Innovation: The Geneva Security Forum seeks out the most innovative security applications, products and services to employ in the context of its conferences. Likewise, The Geneva Security Forum will facilitate debate on the latest political, commercial, technological and criminal trends.