India ranked under Top 10 in Global Cybersecurity Index 2020 Rankings

Context:

India showed a significant improvement in the GCI ranking by reaching 37 places upward. It is ranked 10th in the 4th edition of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2020 (GCI).

What is Global Cybersecurity Index 2020?

• The index is released by the United Nations (UN) agency for information and communication technologies (ITU).
• It was the 4th edition of the GCI ranking.
• It measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level.
• Pillars: The GCI index is based on the countries commitment to 5 pillars namely: Legal, Technical, Organizational, Capacity Development, and Cooperation.

Key-findings of the index

• Overall ranking: USA, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Estonia are ranked at top 3 positions, respectively, in the Index.
• India’s ranking: India ranked 10th in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2020 (GCI).
• India also ranked 4th in the Asia-Pacific region.
• In the last edition of the GCI in 2018, India was placed at the 47th spot.
• India achieved a consolidated score of 97.5.
• The score is based on 20 indicators under 5 pillars.

United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies

• ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs.
• It helps in allocating the global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, developing the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and striving to improve access to ICTs to underserved communities worldwide.
• ITU is committed to connecting all the world’s people wherever they live and whatever their means.
• ITU brings the benefits of modern communication technologies to people everywhere in an efficient, safe, easy, and affordable manner.
• It also released the Global Cybersecurity Agenda.

Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA)

• It was launched in 2007 by ITU.
• Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) is a framework for international cooperation aimed at enhancing confidence and security in the information society.
• The GCA is designed for cooperation and efficiency, encouraging collaboration with and between all relevant partners and building on existing initiatives to avoid duplicating efforts.