ITU drives global effort to strengthen cybersecurity

International Telecommunication Union presented the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), a unique initiative launched by ITU and ABI Research to measure the levels of cybersecurity in countries, at a forum held in Dubai.

It underlies ITU’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity and plugging the gaps worldwide while building capacity at the national level, particularly in developing countries. The long term aim is to drive further efforts in the adoption and integration of cybersecurity on a global scale. A comparison of national cybersecurity strategies will reveal those countries with high rankings in specific areas, and consequently highlight lesser known -- yet successful -- cybersecurity strategies. Based on questionnaire responses received by ITU Member States, a first analysis of cybersecurity development in the Arab region was compiled and one for the Africa region is under way. The objective is to release a global status of cybersecurity for 2014. “Greater connectivity also brings with it greater risk,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré.

“As our physical and cyber worlds overlap, there is an increased need to address the related challenges of ensuring security, human rights, rule of law, good governance and economic development.” Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau addressing the forum, said: “In embracing technological progress, cybersecurity must form an integral and invisible part of that process. Unfortunately, cybersecurity is not yet at the core of many national and industrial technology strategies.” The goal of the GCI is to help foster a global culture of cybersecurity and its integration at the core of information and communication technologies. “Countries need to be aware of their current capability level in cybersecurity and, at the same time, identify areas where cybersecurity needs to be enhanced,” Sanou stressed.