How are governments staying safe? ITU releases its third Global Cybersecurity Index.

More than half the world is now online for the first time ever. This is a significant step towards a more inclusive digital economy. But as information and communication technologies (ICTs) become stitched into the fabric of our daily work and lives, the exponential increase in personal, business and government data flowing across the internet and between devices is exposing us to an ever-widening range of cyber threats.

So how are governments keeping themselves and their citizens safe from cyber threats?

The ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) sheds light on the range of government responses and helps countries learn how they can increase their commitment to cybersecurity.

Data shows considerable improvements in cybersecurity worldwide. More countries have national cybersecurity strategies, national plans, response teams, and specific legislation to counter the threats.

Unfortunately, there remains a significant gap between different regions. In addition, there is a visible gap between many countries in terms of knowledge for the implementation of cybercrime legislation, national cybersecurity strategies (NCS), computer emergency response teams (CERTs), awareness and capacity to spread out the strategies, and capabilities and programmes in the field of cybersecurity.