At the start of the 21st century, modern societies have a growing dependency on information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are globally interconnected. This interconnectivity creates interdependencies and risks that must be managed at national, regional and international levels. At the national level, each nation should consider organizing itself to take coordinated action related to the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from cyber incidents. Such action requires coordination and cooperation among national participants, including, those in government, business, and other organizations, as well as individual users, who develop, own, provide, manage, service and use information systems and networks. The formulation and implementation by all nations of a national framework for cybersecurity and critical information infrastructure protection (CIIP) represents a first step in addressing the challenges arising from globally interconnected ICT infrastructures.

This regional cybersecurity forum, hosted by the State Agency for Information Technology and Communications (SAITC) of the Republic of Bulgaria and organized by ITU in collaboration with the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), aimed to identify the main challenges faced by countries in the region in developing cybersecurity and CIIP capabilities, to consider best practices, share information on development activities being undertaken by ITU as well as other entities, and review the role of various actors in promoting a culture of cybersecurity.

Furthermore, ITU, through its Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) has put in place a framework for international cooperation in cybersecurity. The meeting also considered what actions are being undertaken or planned by the countries in the region to enhance cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders at the regional, national and global level.

The forum, was held in response to ITU Plenipotentiary Resolution 130: Strengthening the role of ITU in building confidence and security in the use of information and communication technologies (Antalya, 2006) and the 2006 World Telecommunication Development Conference Doha Action Plan establishing ITU-D Study Group Question 22/1: Securing information and communication networks: Best practices for developing a culture of cybersecurity.

Please contact cybmail (at) itu.int with any general queries you may have related to this event.