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UN-backed cyber security report highlights global shortfalls in preparedness

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UN-backed cyber security report highlights global shortfalls in preparedness

Governments worldwide must proactively address new and evolving cyber threats, as highlighted in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 report backed by the United Nations (UN).

Compiled by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency focused on digital technologies, the report evaluates countries’ progress in combatting cyber threats across five pillars: legal, technical, organizational, capacity development, and cooperation. The latest edition of the report was released in 2021.

Introducing a tiering system for the first time, the report ranks countries based on their readiness to defend against cyber threats. Forty-six countries have achieved the highest Tier 1 ranking, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing all five pillars.

According to the ITU, most countries are categorized as either ‘establishing’ (Tier 3) or ‘evolving’ (Tier 4) in terms of cybersecurity. These countries have expanded digital services and connectivity but still need to enhance cybersecurity measures.

The report indicates a global increase in investments and efforts towards cybersecurity. For instance, 132 countries now have a national cybersecurity strategy in place, up from 107 in 2021.

More needs to be done

Despite progress, the ITU emphasizes the need for further action, especially in building trust in the digital realm. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General, stresses the importance of ensuring everyone can navigate cyber threats securely in today’s complex digital landscape.

The report identifies evolving and sophisticated cyber threats, such as government-targeted ransomware attacks and system outages, as major concerns. It acknowledges countries’ advancements in implementing legal measures, capacity building initiatives, and incident response capabilities.

ITU’s cyber security projects support national efforts to effectively manage cyber threats, encouraging countries to enhance secure digital systems and networks.

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Geographically, the report highlights Africa as a region that has made significant strides in mitigating cyber attacks since 2021. Least developed countries (LDCs) are also making progress but require ongoing support to advance further.

Land-locked developing countries and small island developing states face challenges due to resource and capacity constraints in cybersecurity efforts.

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