ITU-D ICT Applications and Cybersecurity (CYB): Legislation and Enforcement

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Legislation and Enforcement

An integral component of any national cybersecurity strategy is the adoption of appropriate legislation against the misuse of ICTs for criminal or other purposes, including activities intended to affect the integrity of national critical information infrastructures. As threats can originate anywhere around the globe, the challenges are inherently international in scope and it is desirable to harmonize legislative norms as much as possible to facilitate regional and international cooperation. Links to some related activities and resources can be found below.

ITU Cybercrime Legislation Resources

The purpose is to:

1. Assist countries in understanding the legal aspects of Cybersecurity and,
2. Help harmonize legal frameworks

ITU Publication on UNDERSTANDING CYBERCRIME: Phenomena, Challenges and Legal Response

available only in English, for other languages please refer to the previous version

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Current Activities

Memorandum of Understanding ITU/UNODC

In May 2011, ITU and UNODC signed an MoU to collaborate globally on assisting Member States in mitigate the risks posed by cybercrime with the objective of ensuring secure use of Information and communication technologies. The MoU enable the two bodies to work together on technical assistance to be provided to Member States on cybercrime and Cybersecurity, making available the necessary expertise and resources to facilitate the establishment of legal measures and legislative frameworks at national level, within the principle of international cooperation, for the benefit of all countries in the world.

Harmonized Policies & Legislations for the ICT in ACP countries

ICTs offer both challenges and promises for political, social, economic and environmental development. Moreover, ICTs can make a significant contribution to poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. As well, among the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), there is recognition that “governments should take action, in the framework of national policies, in order to support an enabling and competitive environment for the necessary investment in ICT infrastructure and for the development of new service”

[See more information on these projects ]

Resources Overview

UN Cybercrime Legislation and Enforcement Specific Resolutions

UN Resolutions 55/63 (2000) and 56/121 (2001): Combating the Criminal Misuse of Information Technologies
UN Resolutions 57/239 (2002) and 58/199 (2004): Creation of a global culture of cybersecurity and the protection of critical information infrastructures

Resources Legislations

Convention on Cybercrime, Council of Europe, 2001
Commonwealth Model Law on Computer and Computer Related Crime,Commonwealth Secretariat 2002
Draft International Convention to Enhance Protection from Cyber Crime and Terrorism, Stanford University, 2000
ITU Cybercrime Legislation Resources

1. Understanding Cybercrime: a Guide for Developing Countries

Models for Cybercrime Legislation in ESCWA Member Countries, United Nations, 2007

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