- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) serves as a key platform for global dialogue, helping its membership – including 194 Member States and about 900 Sector Members – find and maintain a consistent approach on cybersecurity issues. This includes facilitating agreement on cybersecurity-related international standards; helping countries define cybersecurity strategies; setting up computer incident response teams (CIRTs); protecting children online; building human capacity; and facilitating policy dialogue.
- ITU promotes and facilitates international and regional cooperation among governments, the private sector, industry associations, and academia to help create a reliable, interoperable, and secure ICT environment. ITU's Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) provides a framework for international cooperation to enhance confidence and security.
Frameworks and strategies
- The organization assists its Member States in developing and improving national cybersecurity frameworks and strategies. At the national level, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action by multiple government agencies, authorities, the private sector, and civil society for effective prevention, preparation, and response. The Second Edition of the Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy, developed through a collaborative process with other organizations, provides actionable guidance for countries to develop a national cybersecurity strategy that promotes a safe, secure, and resilient cyberspace.
-
The Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) continues to measure the cybersecurity commitment of ITU Member States. The GCI represents a multistakeholder initiative that helps countries identify areas for improvement in the field of cybersecurity while raising awareness of cybersecurity worldwide. It provides recommendations, based on countries' best practices, to create a safe space for Internet users.
The 5th Edition of the GCI Report was published in September 2024.
-
Cyber for Good is an umbrella project that addresses the cybersecurity needs of eligible Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Through targeted support and comprehensive capacity-building activities, Cyber for Good aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience and technical capabilities, improving the national security posture in those countries.
Incident-response capacity development
- To respond to fast-evolving threats and incidents, effective mechanisms and institutional structures are needed at the national level. ITU assists countries in establishing and enhancing
National Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) to meet these challenges.
- ITU conducts regular regional and national
CyberDrills for capacity development and to strengthen incident response, management capabilities, and technical cooperation among and within countries.
Standards and development
ITU study groups provide a neutral, global platform for ITU members to develop international standards addressing security.
- Cybersecurity matters within the development context fall under ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D)
Study Group 2: Question 3/2: “Securing information and communication networks: Best practices for developing a culture of cybersecurity".
- ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T)
Study Group 17 (Security), with a mandate to “build confidence and security in the use of ICTs", leads on cybersecurity with an emphasis on standardization. The group develops global security architecture and frameworks, providing support on authentication and identity management, security aspects of communication applications, cybersecurity, the protection of personally identifiable information, and more. Security aspects are becoming increasingly important for intelligent transport systems, distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain, and quantum information technologies.
Safeguarding children online
- In collaboration with a diverse range of partners – including the ICT industry, academia, UN agencies, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), individual experts, and children themselves – ITU's Child Online Protection (COP) initiative provides guidance, builds capacity, and supports the development of national regulatory, policy, and legal frameworks. Through its engagement with policymakers, parents, educators, and children, ITU fosters a safer and more inclusive digital environment.
- Recognizing the rapid evolution of the digital landscape and the emergence of new challenges, ITU's
Guidelines on Child Online Protection offer comprehensive recommendations on creating a secure and empowering online space for children and young people. The guidelines have been localized in more than 25 countries.
- Collaboration has enabled the expansion of COP measures into new areas, including sporting activities, through collaboration with the Scort Foundation.
- With the support of the National Cybersecurity Authority of Saudi Arabia, ITU is implementing a global programme to operationalize the latest guidelines through two key workstreams: capacity building and policy support.
- Backed by the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, ITU is spearheading efforts to establish a Global Network to Expand the Reach and Effectiveness of Online Safety Education.
- As part of its commitment to multistakeholder engagement, ITU leads global discussions on child online protection through the Council Working Group on Child Online Protection (CWG-COP).
- Resolution 179 (Rev. Bucharest, 2022), adopted by the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, mandates that ITU continue COP as a platform to raise awareness and share best practices on child online safety issues; provide technical assistance and support to Member States to develop and implement national roadmaps for COP; and coordinate the COP initiative in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- ITU also engages in informal closed discussions with major technology companies quarterly, facilitating direct dialogue with industry leaders to enhance child online safety measures.
Cybersecurity skills development
- Recent reports indicate that the cybersecurity skills gap is expanding, despite an increase in the number of individuals entering the field. To address workforce development, the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau's work concentrates on two critical areas: empowering women in cybersecurity and cultivating the next generation of professionals by engaging and training young people. By tackling the skills shortage and encouraging diversity, the Bureau not only enhances defenses against emerging cyber threats, but builds a more inclusive and resilient workforce for the future.
- Fostering inclusivity and skills development, the ITU-D Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme addresses systemic barriers for women in cybersecurity. Through mentorship, ITU builds a supportive community, equipping participants with the essential skills and confidence for success in the field. This programme can be localized and implemented by regional or national women-in-cyber organizations, scaling up efforts to empower communities globally.
-
Her CyberTracks promotes gender diversity in cybersecurity. The programme provides specialized training, mentorship and role modeling. It aims to propel the next generation of women in cybersecurity into leadership roles, allowing their voices and expertise to shape this critical field.
Last update: May 2025
