India has jumped to Tier 1 in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), when it comes to role-modeling as part of the country’s cybersecurity commitments and resulting impacts.
What is it?
The Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) is a trusted reference that measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level to raise awareness of the importance and different dimensions of the issue. As cybersecurity has a broad field of application, cutting across many industries and various sectors.
Pillars of assessment
- 1. Legal Measures
- 2. Technical Measures
- 3. Organizational Measures
- 4. Capacity Development
- 5. Cooperation
India’s Performance
- India has claimed a spot in the Tier-1 category in the latest Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- With a rank of 98.49, India is one of the 47 countries that has been adjudged as a leading nation which has demonstrated commitment to robust cyber security practices.
- The GCI found India taking strong actionable cyber security measures in all these crucial areas.
Measures which boost India’s Performance
- According to the GCI 2024 report, India excelled in the legal pillar, establishing a robust framework of laws and regulations to govern cybersecurity.
- The Information Technology Act (2000) and its amendments hold significant weight in this regard, outlining measures to combat cybercrime, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure data privacy.
- Additionally, the passage of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (2022) further strengthens India’s legal framework, providing enhanced safeguards for citizen data.
India’s Score in each pillar
- 1. Legal Measures – 20
- 2. Technical Measures – 20
- 3. Organizational Measures – 18.49
- 4. Capacity Development – 20
- 5. Cooperation – 20
Each Category is given a score out of 20.
Challenges for India
- Demands continuous vigilance and adaptation
- Bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to cybersecurity resources
- Fostering a culture of cyber hygiene and raising public awareness
- Continuous improvement in legal frameworks
- Investment in cutting-edge technology
Tier 1 countries
Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, United States, Iceland, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Qatar, Norway, Turkiye, United Kingdom and a total of 47 countries make it to the list of Tier 1 countries.