Countries worldwide are stepping up their efforts to enhance cybersecurity, but the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), emphasizes the need for stronger actions to combat evolving cyberthreats.
The report highlights improvements in cybersecurity commitments and actions taken by countries since the previous index in 2021. However, concerns remain about ransomware attacks on government services, cyber breaches in core industries, system outages, and privacy violations.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU secretary-general, stresses the importance of building trust in the digital world. She notes that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure everyone can manage cyberthreats in today’s complex digital landscape.
The Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 assesses national cybersecurity efforts across five pillars and introduces a new five-tier analysis to focus on each country’s advancements. The report identifies 46 countries in Tier 1 as role models for strong cybersecurity commitments.
Most countries are categorized as either “establishing” or “evolving” in terms of cybersecurity, with a need to integrate more cybersecurity measures. The report also highlights a cybercapacity gap in many countries, indicating limitations in skills, staffing, equipment, and funding.
ITU’s cybersecurity projects are supporting national efforts to enhance incident response capabilities and manage cyberthreats effectively. The report shows significant progress in implementing legal measures, capacity building initiatives, and cooperation frameworks.
Regional assessments reveal that the Africa region has made the most progress in cybersecurity since 2021. The report also acknowledges gains made by the world’s least developed countries but emphasizes the need for continued support to advance further.
Key findings of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 include the strength of legal measures, the importance of Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs), and the prevalence of National Cybersecurity Strategies. The report also highlights the need for cybersecurity awareness campaigns and incentives for the cybersecurity industry.
As cybersecurity continues to evolve, the report offers recommendations for countries to prioritize high-impact activities. These include implementing legal measures across all sectors, developing comprehensive national cybersecurity strategies, enhancing incident-response capabilities, and fostering cooperation on information-sharing and capacity development.
Overall, the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 provides a roadmap for countries to make progress in cybersecurity and emphasizes the importance of taking action to address evolving cyberthreats.