India ahead of China in Global Cyber Security Index

India is ahead of China in Global Cyber Security Index (GCI-2017) published by ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technology.

India is ranked 23 whereas China is ranked 32 and India has a Global Cyber Security Index score of 0.683 whereas China has a Global Cyber Security Index of 0.624. Singapore, United States, Malaysia, Oman and Estonia are the Top 5 countries in GCI-2017 and has scores of 0.92, 0.91, 0.89, 0.87 and 0.84 respectively.

In cyber security, India has performed well on areas like: Cyber criminal legislation; cyber security legislation; cyber security training; national CERT; government CERT; child online protection; strategy; responsible agency; cyber security good practices; R&D programming; public awareness campaign; professional training courses; education programmes; bilateral agreements; multilateral agreements; and international participation.

China has performed well on areas like: Cyber security legislation; cyber security training; national CERT; government CERT; sectoral CERT; child online protection; responsible agency; standardisation bodies; cyber security good practices; R&D programming; public awareness campaign; incentive mechanisms; home grown industry; international participation; and inter agency participation.

In cyber security, India needs to improve upon areas like: Sectoral CERT; standards for professionals; cyber security metrics; standardization bodies; incentive mechanisms; home grown industry; public private partnership; and interagency partnership. On the other hand, China lacks on areas like: Cybercriminal legislation; standards for organisations; standards for professionals; strategy; cyber security metrics, professional training courses; education programmes; bilateral agreements; multilateral agreements; and public private partnerships.

ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2017

Rank – Country – Global Cybersecurity Index Score:

1. Singapore – 0.925
2. United States of America – 0.919
3. Malaysia – 0.893
4. Oman – 0.871
5. Estonia – 0.846
6. Mauritius – 0.830
7. Australia – 0.824
8. Georgia – 0.819
9. France – 0.819
10. Canada – 0.818
11. Russian Federation – 0.788
12. Japan – 0.786
13. Norway – 0.786
14. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – 0.783
15. Republic of Korea – 0.782
16. Egypt – 0.772
17. Netherlands – 0.760
18. Finland – 0.741
19. Sweden – 0.733
20. Switzerland – 0.727
21. Spain – 0.718
22. New Zealand – 0.718
23. Israel – 0.691
24. Latvia – 0.688
25. Thailand – 0.684
26. India – 0.683
27. Germany – 0.679
28. Qatar – 0.676
29. Ireland – 0.675
30. Belgium – 0.671
31. Mexico – 0.660
32. Uruguay – 0.647
33. Austria – 0.639
34. Italy – 0.626
35. China – 0.624
36. Poland – 0.622
37. Denmark – 0.617
38. Czech Republic – 0.609
39. Rwanda – 0.602
40. Luxembourg – 0.602
41. Philippines – 0.594
42. Brazil – 0.593
43. Belarus – 0.592
44. Tunisia – 0.591

The Global Cyber Security Index measures the commitment of ITU’s 193 member states to cyber security. First launched in 2014, the goal of the Global Cybersecurity Index is to help foster a global culture of cybersecurity and its integration at the core of ICTs.

The GCI is a composite index combining 25 indicators into one benchmark measure to monitor and compare the level of ITU member states cybersecurity commitment with regard to the five pillars – Legal: Measured based on the existence of legal institutions and frameworks dealing with cybersecurity and cybercrime; Technical: Measured based on the existence of technical institutions and frameworks dealing with cybersecurity; Organizational: Measured based on the existence of policy coordination institutions and strategies for cybersecurity development at the national level; Capacity Building: Measured based on the existence of research and development, education and training programmes; cer ed professionals and public sector agencies fostering capacity building; and Cooperation: Measured based on the existence of partnerships, cooperative frameworks and information sharing networks.

The report helps in motivating countries to improve their work related to cybersecurity, raised awareness in countries for the need to start bilateral, multilateral and international cooperation, and increased the visibility of what countries are doing to improve cybersecurity.

Houlin Zhao, Secretary General, ITU said, “While the impact generated by cyber-attacks, such as those carried out as recently as 27 June 2017, may not be eliminated completely, prevention and mitigation measures to reduce the risks posed by cyber-related threats can and should always be put in place. The GCI reaffirms ITU’s commitment to build confidence and security in the use of ICTs.” The GCI-2017 also shows that there is space for further improvement in cooperation at all levels, capacity building and organizational measures. Even India needs to improve its score as there is a difference of 0.237 in GCI score of 0.237.