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Enhancing Cybersecurity in Least Developed Countries

In a context of ever increasing growth of malicious cyberactivities, ITU is launching the “Enhancing Cybersecurity in Least Developed Countries” project aiming at ensuring that LDCs can maximize the socio-economic benefits of access to ICTs in a cybersecure environment.

The issue

ICTs provide unprecedented opportunities to accelerate social and economic development, while their misuse and their vulnerabilities create new and serious threats.

To answer the challenges imposed by the borderless nature of cybercrime, establishment of national cybersecurity strategies including mechanism to identify, manage and respond to cyberthreats is crucial.

This is particularly challenging for LDCs lacking of adequate legal and regulatory framework, and limited human capacity/expertise and financial resources.

Objectives

The “Enhancing Cybersecurity in LDCs” project aims at supporting LDCs in strengthening their cybersecurity capabilities to better respond to cyberthreats to ensure enhanced protection of their national infrastructure, including the critical information infrastructure, thereby making the Internet safer and protecting Internet users, to serve national priorities and maximize socio-economic benefits in line with the objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Launch of the project in selected LDCs
Identification and selection of beneficiary countries.
Assessment of the situation
Information gathering and assessment of the existing situation in each beneficiary country
Development of guidelines
Production of guidelines on cybersecurity legislation, regulation and technologies which would facilitate implementation of electronic protection system.
Equipment and solutions distribution
Delivery of relevant sets of equipment and software.
Capacity building
Training material will be developed and curricula prepared on national, regional and international cybersecurity legislation and regulation, as well as technology aspects.

expected results

The expected results of the Project include:

Enhanced national expertise on cybersecurityincluding, among others, technical, legal and regulatory, institutional and organizational aspects.
Online and/or face-to-face workshops and training activities on cybersecurity aspects/topics implemented.
Improved national preparedness in identification, prevention, response, and resolution of cybersecurity threats/incidents.
Customized guidelines on national cybersecurity legislation, regulation and technical aspects.
Relevant equipment and solutions delivered to Ministries for subsequent distribution.
Training curricula developed on cybersecurity national, regional and international legislation, regulation and technical aspects.

Documents
Status

Implemented: Sierra Leone

Ongoing: Comoros, Gambia, Vanuatu