

The role of the CISO in preventing cyberviolence is increasingly discussed. In your view, what is their specific role in this area?
Philippe Coen: The CISO holds an essential role that goes beyond mere technical protection. Today, they are elevated to the status of an ethical figure within the company. Their role is not limited to countering cyber fraud; they must ensure that the systems they implement help create a respectful digital environment. They must also ensure that messaging systems and communication tools between employees and clients are not only secure but also free from microaggressions. This includes preventing internal and external abuse. For example, in the banking sector, client interfaces such as secure messaging can become sites of violence because they involve “face-to-face” interactions with consumers. The CISO must be able to anticipate and regulate these situations to ensure that these digital spaces do not become “punching bags” for customer frustrations.
How can the CISO practically promote a more ethical approach within companies?
PC: The CISO must work closely with departments such as human resources, legal, corporate social responsibility, and even employee representative committees (CSE). These departments bring complementary perspectives to ensure that digital systems do not become tools for violence but spaces where respect and ethics prevail.
Take the example of a large financial company: one of the challenges for the CISO is ensuring that internal and external messaging platforms are safe, not only from a technical security perspective but also to prevent inappropriate behaviors, such as cyberbullying between employees or with clients. What’s fascinating is that, unknowingly, CISOs are becoming ethical guardians of systems, much like Molière’s Monsieur Jourdain unknowingly speaks prose. In addition to cybersecurity, they find themselves taking on the ethical protection of users.
What skills and training are indispensable for cybersecurity professionals in combating cyberviolence?
PC: It is crucial for cybersecurity professionals, particularly CISOs, to go beyond traditional technical skills. They must embrace broader concepts such as digital ethics, social responsibility, and managing cyberviolence. There are several specific certifications in digital ethics that can help CISOs better understand the dynamics of online violence. Training in managing microviolence within information systems is also critical, especially when these systems involve interactions between employees, contractors, and clients. Such training equips them to anticipate and address tensions that may arise in digital spaces like corporate messaging platforms.
Respect Zone offers tools and charters to promote respect online. How are these initiatives implemented?
PC: At Respect Zone, we’ve developed several charters (available in eight languages) that allow companies to actively commit to fighting cyberviolence. For example, a company can adopt our Respect Zone Charter, which encourages respect in all digital spaces, from forums to internal messaging and client interactions. A notable example is Paris Games Week, which signed this charter in 2016, raising awareness among thousands of participants about the importance of respectful online behavior, even in competitive environments like video games.
We’ve also collaborated with the Paris Bar Association and various professions, such as intellectual property lawyers and the Union of Manufacturers, which have signed the Respect Zone charter to promote ethical practices. These tools are not only a sign of a company’s good reputation in terms of social responsibility but also an effective prevention tool against cyberviolence. Details of our charters and other tools are available on our website.
The concept of “digital depollution” is becoming increasingly central. How can it be applied practically in the fight against cyberviolence?
PC: Digital depollution is a key concept for us. It’s not just about securing digital spaces technologically but also cleaning up the interactions that take place within them. This means fighting harassment, online hate, and various forms of abuse.
Practically, this can involve enhanced moderation systems and initiatives like digital mediation. At Respect Zone, we’ve implemented a mediation button that users can activate if they feel offended by content, even if it doesn’t constitute a criminal offense. This enables rapid solutions, such as mitigating or removing the content, while avoiding conflict escalation that could lead to more severe cyberviolence. We are currently working on a pilot project in collaboration with Meta to further develop this kind of initiative.
What concrete actions would you recommend for companies and institutions to effectively prevent cyberbullying?
PC: The first step for companies is to adopt commitment charters such as those from Respect Zone. This creates a clear and visible framework for employees, clients, and partners. Next, it’s essential to train teams, especially CISOs, to recognize signs of cyberviolence and know how to intervene.
We’ve recently started training employee representative committees (CSEs) to help them manage the mental burden associated with digital violence within companies. It’s also crucial to establish mediation spaces where conflicts can be constructively resolved. Lastly, implementing proactive moderation technologies, combined with regular training in ethics and respectful communication, is an excellent way to clean up digital spaces within organizations.
Interestingly, some companies are going even further by involving the schools of their employees’ children, organizing awareness sessions that create a real bridge between professional and family environments to prevent cyberviolence. A striking example: we’ve seen companies that, after adopting our charters and implementing training programs, observed a significant decrease in internal tensions and an improvement in social dialogue.
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