Overview
Cybersecurity is fundamental to a safe, secure, and resilient digital world. As societies, economies, and public services become increasingly dependent on digital technologies, strengthening trust and security in information and communication technologies (ICTs) is essential to ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation can be realized by everyone.
Cyber risks can affect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of information, and disrupt essential services and critical infrastructure. Emerging technologies and increasingly interconnected digital ecosystems bring opportunities for innovation but also introduce new risks and dependencies.
Cybersecurity is not solely a technical issue. It requires effective governance, appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks, capable institutions, skilled people, international cooperation, and the implementation of internationally recognized standards. Because cyber risks cross organizational and national boundaries, cyber resilience is a shared responsibility.
ITU's contribution
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) helps its members build confidence, security, and resilience in the use of ICTs. It brings together governments, industry, and other stakeholders to develop international standards, strengthen national cybersecurity capacity, improve preparedness and incident response, and promote international cooperation.
Strengthening national cybersecurity
Countries need a foundation for clear cybersecurity governance, and a framework for understanding their current strengths and opportunities.
ITU supports cyber governance by helping countries develop and implement national cybersecurity strategies and governance arrangements to manage cybersecurity risks. The Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy, now in its third edition (2025), provides principles and good practices throughout the strategy lifecycle, including implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) is a globally recognized framework for countries to assess their cybersecurity commitments across legal, technical, organizational, capacity-development and cooperation measures, and identify areas for improvement.
Building incident-response capacity
Effective national mechanisms are essential to prepare for, respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. ITU provides technical assistance to establish and strengthen National Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) and related institutional capabilities. Its national and regional CyberDrills help participants test procedures, develop operational skills and strengthen cooperation. Through Cyber for Good, ITU also provides targeted support to eligible Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across incident response, national cybersecurity strategies and cybersecurity skills development.
Developing cybersecurity skills
Sustainable cyber resilience depends on people as much as technology. ITU equips people with the skills and knowledge to strengthen cyber resilience, expands opportunities for women and young people to participate and lead in cybersecurity, and develops frameworks that help countries assess and address cybersecurity workforce gaps. Her CyberTracks strengthens the participation and leadership of women in cybersecurity through targeted training, mentorship and networking.
International standards for security and trust
ITU provides a neutral global platform for international technical standards that strengthen security and trust in telecommunications and ICTs. Through ITU-T Study Group 17 on Security and work across other study groups, members develop security frameworks and standards covering areas such as identity management, network and cloud security, data protection, the Internet of Things and emerging technologies.
Protecting children online
Through its Child Online Protection initiative, ITU works with governments, industry, civil society, academia, international organizations, parents, educators and young people to strengthen policy frameworks, build capacity and promote safer, more empowering digital experiences for children.
Working together for a secure digital future
No country or organization can address cybersecurity risks alone. International cooperation, effective national institutions, interoperable standards, skills development and cross-sector partnerships are essential to strengthening cyber resilience. ITU works with its membership and partners to support a digital environment that people, governments and businesses can use with confidence and trust.
Last update: October 2026
