The Internet Society is pleased to invite applications for the 2013 Internet Society Ambassadors to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

As part of the Internet Society’s Next Generation Leaders (NGL) programme, the Ambassadorships to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) are available to Internet Society members between the ages of 20 and 40.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues of Internet governance. It brings together government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders, including the technical and academic community, on an equal basis and through an open and inclusive process. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximize Internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that arise.

The Internet Society today announced funding for 11 community-based Internet projects that will enhance the Internet ecosystem in underserved communities around the world. The Community Grants are awarded twice each year to Internet Society Chapters and Members. Recipients receive up to US$10,000 to implement their projects.

The 11 projects funded in this round of grants will:

•Enable teachers and students in the Sultanate of Oman to produce and share video presentations that meet Omani curriculum standards and students’ needs

•Facilitate access to the Internet via a wireless mesh network for students, parents, and others in rural Panama, enabling them to use their own equipment at home

•Provide research for an evidence-based ICT policy to help bridge the Internet divide in Ethiopia

•Develop online resources to help Internet Society chapters effectively create and implement cost-effective video streaming to its membership and the wider community

•Create a digital community of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Kenya to serve as a virtual mentorship program

•Support the Koh Sirae School in Thailand by enhancing their wireless network, updating the learning center and classrooms with laptops and workstations, and providing furniture for 1,000 children and 53 teachers

•Empower and connect the women of Chuuk State in the Pacific Islands by establishing an Internet-connected computer lab at the Chuuk Women’s Council (CWC) building and offering classes in ICT usage

•Promote child online safety in Uganda by educating children, teachers and parents at three urban schools; developing a user guide; and advocating for sound policies that ensure Internet safety

•Build a collaborative, independent, and transparent observatory that quantitatively assesses the Internet quality in Lebanon to help providers enhance their services and the Lebanese government accelerate the transition to broadband Internet

•Jump start the establishment of an Internet of Things (IoT) community-operated space in the University of the Philippines, where people with shared interests in computers, technology, science, digital art, or electronic art can meet and collaborate

•Initiate a movement that will encourage and facilitate university students majoring in ICT subjects to contribute their knowledge, skills, and time to teach ICT courses at Indonesia’s rural high schools

Please add your input in the comments. I’ll compile and forward – David Solomonoff, President, ISOC-NY

At its 13 April meeting in Beijing, the Internet Society Board of Trustees finalized a framework of strategic guidance to help steer the direction and …

The Internet Society is soliciting nominations of qualified candidates for the 2013 Jonathan B. Postel Service Award by 31 May. This annual award is presented to an individual or organization that has made outstanding contributions in service to the data communications community. The award, which includes a presentation crystal and a USD 20,000 prize, is scheduled to be presented during the 87th Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) meeting in Berlin, Germany, 28 July – 2 August.

Deadline for nominations is 31 May, 2013.

Award Nomination Procedures
http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/grants-and-awards/awards/postel-service-award/procedures

Members of the Internet Society’s New York Chapter (ISOC-NY) are actively engaged in helping form a new Augmented and Virtual Reality Chapter. The first associated event will be a joint meetup with the ARNY – Augmented Reality New York this Wednesday April 24 2013. This is a well-attended monthly event with a full program of briefings and demos, and should be an eye opener for anyone wishing to learn more about this field.

What: ARNY – Augmented Reality New York Monthly Meetup
Where: Thoughtworks, 99 Madison Ave, 15th Floor (at 29th St)
When: April 24 2013 7pm
Agenda: http://www.meetup.com/ARNY-Augmented-Reality-New-York/events/96323692/
Register: ISOC-NY meetup or email president at isoc-ny.org (free)
Webcast: Will be recorded
Twitter: #ARNY | #ISOCAVR

On Tuesday March 26 2013, at Thoughtworks NYC office, the Internet Society’s New York Chapter (ISOC-NY) will present “It’s the Web, Tim, but not as we know it” in which guest Michiel de Jong will explain unhosted, an open source solution for privacy and security in the cloud. The event is public, wheelchair accessible, and free.

The web started out as a platform for static documents. It then evolved into a platform for hosted software, that runs “in the cloud”, outside the user’s control. But html5 technology allows for a new option: “unhosted web apps”. Like documents, unhosted web apps are served as static content, which makes them cheap to publish. But like hosted software, they can have all the interactive functionality of a software application. In this new paradigm, the web is used to deliver the source code of the application, rather than delivering its user interface. Two years ago Michiel de Jong quit his day job as a scalability engineer, to work on free technology in exchange for donations. He now lives as a digital nomad and will be giving this talk remotely. This is a followup to the 2012 ISOC-NY/NYTECH event “New Techniques for Protecting Cloud Data and Security”

What: “It’s the Web, Tim, but not as we know it”
Where: Thoughtworks, 99 Madison Ave, 15th Floor (between West 29th and 30th Streets), New York NY 10016
When: Tuesday March 26 2013 6.30pm EDT
Webcast: will be recorded
Register: Either via our meetup page, or direct RSVP to David Solomonoff at president@isoc-ny.org

[Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland – 14 February 2013] – Internet Society President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn St. Amour today announced that she will leave the Internet Society in February 2014 at the conclusion of her contract. St. Amour joined the Internet Society in 1998 as Executive Director of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa division. She became Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer in 1999 and was appointed President and CEO in March of 2001.

© iStockphoto / Internet Society

Every time we log onto the web we access (and add to) our own personal digital footprint that’s interconnected with plug-ins, links, and massive caches of personal data that follows us around.

Learn About Your Digital Identity

While none of us can control everything that’s known about us online, there are steps we can take to better understand our online identities and be empowered to share what we want, when we want.

The Internet Society developed three interactive tutorials to help educate and inform anyone who would like to find out more.

Each lasts about 5 minutes and will give a great foundation when it comes to making informed choices about our unique online identities.

Watch The Tutorials

Tutorial 1: Online Identity – An Overview

This tutorial will explain some of the key differences between your online and “real life” identity, recognize the nature of digital identities, and understand the difference between online identity and personal privacy. Watch the tutorial now.


Tutorial 2: Protecting Your Privacy

This tutorial will explain the key concerns related to online identity and privacy, recognize what kind of user information is collected and why, identify the ways of controlling the privacy of your online identity. Watch the tutorial now..


Tutorial 3: Protecting Your Identity

This tutorial will explain the challenges in protecting online identities and help you recognize the ways you can protect your online identity. Watch the tutorial now.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It has been an exciting year! Thanks to our Members, Chapters, Board, Staff and partners – past and present – we commemorated twenty (20) years of fruitful collaboration and advocacy in support of an “Internet for everyone.” The anniversary was marked by numerous celebrations, and a Global INET in Geneva, Switzerland, where we also launched the Internet Hall of Fame.

In 2012, with your help, we took on many of the most important issues facing the Internet – all across the globe. We had an impact on many critical policy decisions; we promoted and supported vital technical standards, launched valuable new programs, welcomed many new members, and hosted a broad global array of policy, education, and development programs.

We continued to advocate tirelessly for the Internet’s growth and open evolution, and we promoted multi-stakeholder dialogue and action on many matters related to the Internet. A recent example was the U.N. World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, where ISOC staff and members played a critical role. This was a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort across the global Internet community, and it is clear that going forward, the challenges confronting the Internet will need even greater collaboration and multi-stakeholder support.

As we leave 2012 and look forward to 2013, I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks for all you do to advance the Internet and for all you do to support our wonderful Mission. The Internet is a critical enabler of human empowerment, social development, and economic growth, and it enhances our quality of life. We look forward to working with all of you to build on the significant momentum achieved to-date; clearly there are many areas that will need our attention and support over the coming year.

Finally, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Board and Staff at the Public Interest Registry (PIR); your support is central to our success and very much appreciated. I would also like to recognize the important work of and our valuable partnership with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), and the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), who are at the heart of what makes the Internet – the Internet.

Thank you all for everything you do to support the Internet and the Internet Society. Please accept my very best wishes to you and your loved ones for the coming New Year.

Warm regards,

Lynn St. Amour
President & CEO, Internet Society

[Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland] – Building on the historic foundation it established earlier this year, the Internet Hall of Fame will once again help make history in 2013 when it honors individuals who have been important to the Internet’s open development and growth. The Internet Society today announced that nominations for the second annual awards will open on January 11, and the 2013 inductees will be announced and honored at a ceremony held June 26, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.

This year’s Internet Hall of Fame will continue the important tradition of celebrating Internet visionaries, innovators, and leaders from around the world who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the open, global Internet.

The Internet Society’s (ISOC) Nominations Committee is accepting applications from, or in favour of, candidates interested in serving on the ISOC Board of Trustees. In 2013, three positions on the Board of Trustees are open for election. Two Trustees will be elected by ISOC Organizational Members and one by ISOC Chapters. Additionally, one Trustee will be selected by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The Trustee positions are 3-year terms that start August 2013 and end in 2016.

On behalf of Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, and the Internet Society Board of Trustees:

Emerging reports from various organizations and individuals indicate that international Internet connectivity was shut off in Syria today. The Internet is an open, global medium for communication, idea exchange, empowerment, and innovation. Access to the global Internet is a crucial enabler of human rights.

As with previous actions to block Internet traffic in Egypt and Libya, the effect of cutting off Internet traffic – ceasing the flow of information in and out of the country – is a serious action. It harms not only the citizens of Syria, but also Syria’s economy and society at large. The Internet Society stands with other organizations around the world in calling for Internet access to be restored with all due speed and cooperation so that vital services can continue to function and citizens won’t be further impacted.

First and foremost, the Internet Society joins with the rest of the world in its utmost concern about the safety and security of the Syrian people. Previous cases where such actions were deliberately taken have proven not only to be harmful, but to be ineffective. The Internet Society hopes that the volatile situation in Syria will come to a peaceful solution and that the citizens of Syria will soon be able to join the rest of the world in having their voices heard online.

http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-syria%E2%80%99s-internet-shutdown

The Internet Society’s New York Chapter (ISOC-NY) and the New York Technology Council (NYTECH) will join the Public Interest Registry (PIR) in presenting a midday symposium “Mitigating DDoS Attacks: Best Practices for an Evolving Threat Landscape” in New York City on December 5 2012. Participating organizations include Afilias, Google, Neustar, M3AAWG, Symantec, EFF, and De Natris Consult. As a public service PIR are generously covering the $99 fee for all attendees – thus registration is free!   The event will be webcast live via the Internet Society Chapters Livestream Channel.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are an all-too-common reality in today’s Internet landscape and are an escalating global problem.  Whether a DDoS attack is motivated by criminal intent, like cyber extortion, or is executed as an extreme form of free expression, the resulting service interruptions can have wide-ranging effects.  This program will address the motives behind and targets of DDoS attacks.  It will also explore the various ways attacks are carried out, as well as mitigation techniques and the risks of “unintended consequences.”  The goal is to foster a discussion and provide a platform for developing a framework of best practices to mitigate DDoS attacks.

What: Mitigating DDoS Attacks: Best Practices for an Evolving Threat Landscape
When: Wednesday December 5 2012 1000-1300 EST | 1500-1800 UTC
Where: AMA Executive Conference Center, 1601 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10019
Program: http://www.pir.org/why/security/ddos
Webcast: http://www.livestream.com/internetsocietychapters
Register: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventId=1108367 ***
Twitter: #DDoS

*** Registration is not required for the webcast, just for in person attendance. Space is limited, please do not register unless you truly intend to come. ***

On Thursday November 15 2012 the Internet Society’s North American Bureau in collaboration with its New York Chapter (ISOC-NY) will present INET New York: An Open Forum on The Copyright Alert System – a half-day conference at New York Law School. Public advocacy organizations and Internet users will have the opportunity to participate in a multistakeholder dialogue on key issues relating to the Copyright Alert System (CAS) – sometimes called the 6 strikes program, and due to kick off on November 28 2012 – with representatives and members of the Center for Copyright Information (CCI) which is administering the system.

Registration is now open (free), and you can also ask questions in advance, via the links below. It is not necessary to register for the webcast, but you can via our meetup group.

What: INET New York: An Open Forum on The Copyright Alert System
When: November 15 2012 – 3-7pm
Program: http://www.internetsociety.org/events/inet-new-york/inet-new-york-agenda
Webcast: http://www.livestream.com/internetsocietychapters
Twitter: #inetny | #copyright | #6strikes
Registration: http://www.internetsociety.org/events/inet-new-york/ (free)
Questions: http://inetny2012.backchan.nl/

There will be two Internet Society meetings in conjunction with ICANN45 in Toronto. All members are welcome to participate, either in person or online. Online participation comprises of a webex conference (with an alternative phone bridge), plus an additional live text transcription and video webcast. Toronto is on the same time as NYC.

What: ISOC in ICANN meeting
Where: The Westin Harbour Castle Toronto Hotel
When: Sunday October 14 2012 7.30pm EDT | 2330 UTC
Agenda: http://bit.ly/OqklLc
Webex: link
Telephone: 408-600-3600 (US) | elsewhere – Code: 927 376 857
Webcast: http://livestream.com/internetsocietychapters
Transcript: http://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-ISOC
Twitter: #icann45 | #isoc | @internetsociety

What: ISOC Chapters and Members meeting
Where: The Westin Harbour Castle Toronto Hotel
When: Tuesday October 16 2012 7.30pm EDT | 2330 UTC
Agenda: http://bit.ly/OVFVc5
Webex: link
Telephone: 408-600-3600 (US) | elsewhere – Code: 922 701 747
Webcast: http://livestream.com/internetsocietychapters
Transcript: http://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-ISOC
Twitter: #icann45 | #isoc | @internetsociety