Press Release
ITU and Global Cyber Alliance Join Forces to Help Countries Prepare for and Respond to Cyber Threats
Secured Cyberspace Vital for the Development of the Digital Economy
Geneva, 20 July 2018 – ITU and the Global Cyber Alliance signed on 9 July a joint declaration to cooperate for a safer and more secure information society.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will explore the possibility of developing mechanisms, tools and services to help ITU Members improve their level of preparedness and response against cyber threats.
“This agreement continues ITU’s longstanding commitment to cybersecurity,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “Through our work, more and more people around the globe are connecting to the digital economy every day. We must strive to ensure it is a safe and secure environment that benefits all. This innovative joint initiative will make great strides to do just that.”
Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau and Mr. Philip Reitinger, President and Chief Executive Officer at Global Cyber Alliance signed the declaration.
“Cybersecurity will continue to be a big challenge as we use technologies such as the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. The impact could go far beyond simple hacking or data breach,” said Mr. Sanou. “As with most ICT issues, the solution is often imbedded in the problem. I am pleased to see that this cooperation adds to our on-going collaboration with stakeholders in the ICT sector to work together to create an enabling environment for the future.”
“The partnership with the ITU provides the Global Cyber Alliance with an opportunity to bring solutions that will reduce cyber risk to the world. Participation with ITU expands our reach around the world, allowing us to advance our initiatives and bring more scale to what we do,” said Mr. Reitinger. “I look forward to evolving our relationship with ITU and establishing areas of mutual cooperation that will benefit society.”
Building confidence and security in the use of telecommunications/ICTs is one of the objectives of the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), endorsed by the 2017 World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-17). It aims to strengthen the capacity of Member States to effectively share information, find solutions, respond to cybersecurity threats, and to develop and implement national strategies and capabilities.
About the Global Cyber Alliance
The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world. We achieve our mission by uniting global communities, implementing concrete solutions, and measuring the effect. Learn more at www.globalcyberalliance.org.
