THE CONTEXT: India entered the top 10 of a global cyber security ranking of countries, ahead of China at No.33, and Pakistan at No.79.
Analysis:
- India has made it to the top 10 in Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 by ITU, moving up 37 places to rank as the tenth best country in the world on key cybersafety parameters.
- The affirmation by the UN body of India’s efforts on cybersecurity, comes just ahead of the sixth anniversary of Digital India on July 1.
- India is emerging as a global IT superpower, asserting its digital sovereignty with firm measures to safeguard data privacy and online rights of citizens.
- As per the ranking, India has moved up by 37 places to rank as the tenth best country in the world in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on June 29, 2021.
- The US topped the chart, followed by the UK and Saudi Arabia tied on the second position, while Estonia was ranked third in the index.
- India has also secured the fourth position in the Asia Pacific region, underlining its commitment to cybersecurity.
- GCI assessment is done on the basis of performance on five parameters of cybersecurity including legal measures, technical measures, organisational measures, capacity development, and cooperation. The performance is then aggregated into an overall score.
- For each of the five aspects, all the countries’ performance and commitment were assessed through a question-based online survey, which further allowed for the collection of the supporting evidence.
ABOUT ITU
- The International Telecommunication Union(ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs
- It was established in 1865 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP).
- It has membership of 193 countries and nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions.
- India has been an active member of the ITU since 1869 and has been a regular member of the ITU Council since 1952
- Recently, ITU decided to set up the ITU South Asia Area Office and Technology Innovation Centre in New Delhi.
- Membership of ITU is open to only UN members which may join the Union as Member States, as well as to private organizations like carriers, equipment manufacturers, funding bodies, research and development organizations and international and regional telecommunication organizations, which may join ITU as non-voting Sector Members.
- Although the recommendations of the ITU are non-binding, most countries adhere to them in the interest of maintaining an effective international electronic communication environment.
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