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Cyber for Good

Cyber for Good is an umbrella project funded by the Ministry of Science and ICTs of the Republic of Korea, dedicated to addressing the cybersecurity needs of the eligible Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Through targeted support and comprehensive capacity-building activities, Cyber for Good aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience and technical capabilities, ultimately leading to improved LDCs’ and SIDS’ national cybersecurity posture.

OBJECTIVES

The activities under the umbrella of the project are structured across three key areas of engagement, each designed to address specific cybersecurity development gaps as revealed by the latest edition of the GCI:

	Incident response capabilities ITU develops and enhances the cybersecurity readiness and resilience of the target countries’ Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) and other government cybersecurity entities.
	Support in National Cybersecurity Strategies and Governance ITU delivers tailored governance training programs, conduct tabletop and simulation exercises, and facilitate strategic planning workshops and stakeholder consultations, including providing assessments of existing National Cybersecurity Strategies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
	Skills Development ITU collaborates with ITU Membership to develop and deliver customized training programs that address specific skill gaps in LDCs and SIDS on different cybersecurity topics to ensure comprehensive skills development across all expertise levels.

MATCHING NEEDS

The Cyber for Good project is designed as a dynamic and scalable initiative that promotes strategic matching as the primary approach for engagement between partners and beneficiary countries. By aligning the specific needs of target nations with the expertise, resources, and support offered by ITU Membership, the project ensures impactful and sustainable collaborations.

	Matching with ITU-D Private Sector Members The Cyber for Good project actively partners with ITU-D Private Sector Members to provide flexible Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) support tailored to the needs of LDCs and SIDS. This collaboration enables beneficiary countries to access high-impact tools, solutions, training, and assessments.
	Matching with Donors and Member States Through strategic matching with Member States, this approach is designed to align the specific needs of the target countries with the resources, expertise, and financial support provided. ITU engages potential donors and Member States, profiling their available resources, areas of interest, and willingness to contribute.
	On-Demand Cyber Capacity Building To enhance accessibility and reach, the Cyber for Good project capitalizes on the use of ITU Academy, an online ITU platform offering a wide range of cybersecurity courses and resources.

CYBERSECURITY CAPACITY GAP

The latest iteration of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) shows that LDCs have made significant progress in strengthening their national cybersecurity capabilities since the fourth edition in 2020.

Phase 2 of the Cyber for Good project extends its coverage to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as SIDS have been slower to adopt relevant cybersecurity measures, as reflected in the fifth edition of the GCI. SIDS continue to lag behind LDCs, facing several challenges, including limited financial resources, a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters.

PARTNERS

Core partners

The Cyber for Good project was made possible through collaboration and financial contribution by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of the Republic of Korea and the ITU.

Current ITU-D Private Sector Members contributing to the Project

ACHIVEMENTS OF THE FIRST PHASE

The Cyber for Good initiative has made remarkable strides in addressing this disparity, successfully supporting countries to narrow the cyber capacity gap. In its initial phase, from 2022 to 2024, the Cyber for Good project has supported beneficiary countries to strengthen their cybersecurity postures across 30 LDCs:

21 countries have benefitted in the Africa Region
6 countries have benefited in Asia and the Pacific
3 countries have benefited in the Arab region

A pivotal catalyst for this achievement has been the seamless synergy between the ITU-D team and eligible beneficiary Member States. The dynamic engagement of ITU-D Private Sector Members has unlocked access to cutting-edge tools, transformative technologies, and immersive training programs, empowering individuals with essential skills and driving impactful results.

CYBER FOR GOOD AND UN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

	The Cyber for Good project and the capacity-building activities contribute to the implementation of several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening the cybersecurity capabilities of LDCs and SIDS. Specifically, it supports the following SDGs:
	SDG 4: Quality education: The Cyber for Good project emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity education and skills development. By providing training programs, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives, the project aims to upskill professionals in LDCs, addressing the global shortage of cybersecurity experts and ensuring that these countries have the knowledge and expertise needed to manage and mitigate cyber risks.
	SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: By strengthening national cybersecurity infrastructures, such as enhancing Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs), the project supports the development of resilient digital infrastructures, which are essential for economic growth and sustainable economic development.
	SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: By supporting the development of robust cybersecurity policies, governance frameworks, and national Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs), the project contributes to building strong and transparent institutions. Enhanced cybersecurity governance and well-functioning CIRTs help protect national critical infrastructures, ensuring that these countries can safeguard their digital assets.
	SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project exemplifies successful international cooperation to address global challenges such as cybersecurity threats by bringing together governments, international organizations, private sector partners, and NGOs to support LDCs in their cybersecurity efforts. This partnership approach not only provides these countries with access to resources and expertise but also promotes knowledge exchange and cyber capacity building on a global scale.
	Contribution to the Implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs (DPOA) Aligned with the Doha Programme of Action, the Cyber for Good project contributes to key action areas by addressing the need for access to modern technologies and promoting a safe and trustworthy cyberspace is necessary for social activities, economic growth, and governmental services. Acknowledging the essential role of technology in society, the project empowers LDCs to securely embrace the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution through high-value cybersecurity solutions and tools.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to support the Cyber for Good project to reduce the cybersecurity capacity gap for LDCs through providing tools, training, or other services at no cost. You can reach us at cybersecurity(at)itu.int.