By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
India has secured a Tier-1 position in the latest Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), establishing itself as a role model in global cybersecurity efforts.
With a score of 98.49, India is ranked among the top countries, reflecting its strong commitment to cybersecurity across various pillars such as legal measures, technical readiness, organizational strategy, capacity development, and cooperation.
India’s rise to Tier-1 showcases its efforts in implementing legal frameworks like the Information Technology Act and introducing initiatives for critical infrastructure protection and data security. The country has made significant improvements in the technical and organizational domains, contributing to its leadership position in cybersecurity globally.
The GCI, launched in 2015 by the International Telecommunication Union, seeks to help countries to identify areas of improvement and encourage countries to act in building capacity and capabilities under each pillar.
Image Source: ITU
India Compared to Other Top Countries
India, alongside countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, ranks in the top tier.
India has distinguished itself by focusing on cybersecurity laws, the establishment of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), and capacity-building initiatives.
Compared to other top-tier countries, India stands out for its balanced approach, with strong legal measures and growing technical expertise. However, it still faces challenges in advanced technical measures like AI security and sector-specific cybersecurity efforts, which countries like the U.S. and Singapore have mastered.
Cooperation with international partners and continuous investment in cybersecurity infrastructure can help India stay competitive and enhance its global cybersecurity standing.
Key Threats Highlighted in the Report
On the cyber threat front, the report underscores several pressing cybersecurity threats, including:
Ransomware Attacks: Increasingly targeting critical sectors like government services, healthcare, and manufacturing, with devastating impacts on national infrastructure.
Data Breaches: Affecting core industries such as finance, education, and energy. Data breaches not only cause financial losses but also erode public trust in digital systems.
AI-Driven Threats: Emerging technologies like AI are leading to the rise of deepfakes, content moderation challenges, and cyberattacks, making cybersecurity more complex.
Cross-Border Cybercrime: Cyber threats are often transnational, making international cooperation vital for tracking and responding to attacks. These concerns highlight the need for countries to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in areas such as data protection, response readiness, and cross-border collaboration.
The GCI has been continuously adapted across editions to respond to changing risks, priorities and resources, in order to provide a more relevant snapshot of cybersecurity measures taken by countries.
Since 2021, countries have on average taken more cybersecurity-related actions and improved their commitments to cybersecurity. The global average country score has risen to 65.7/100.
