Rae Evans
7th November 2022
Despite global efforts, the number of cyber attacks grows yearly, targeting both industries and governments.
Poorer nations have weak cyber-security infrastructure, low inter-agency coordination and emergency responses, weak institutional capacity, limited ICT skills and awareness, and limited protection of critical national infrastructures.
Addressing the fast-evolving nature of cybersecurity risks is challenging, mainly due to the speed of digital innovation and the proliferation of threats that can impact a country’s safety, prosperity, and resilience.
What is the impact of poor cyber-security on the development of the poorest nations? How can governments fight this?
In recent years, developing countries have experienced a notable increase in their exposure to information technologies, both in the digitization of public services and private enterprises and in the rapid dissemination of cell phones across their populations.
As information becomes more and more accessible via digitalized services, people in developing countries can only benefit. However, there is a great need to protect data and networks from abuse, misuse or unauthorized access by securing information against cyber threats. Efficient and timely policies, protective measures, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms must be implemented to safeguard information in developing countries.
According to Kaspersky Labs, seven of the top 10 countries targeted by Trojans designed to steal passwords were developing countries, which accounted for 92% of such Trojans globally.
The poorest nations are targeted by money-driven attacks (such as ransomware) and serve as training grounds for criminal groups in preparation for more ambitious attacks in developed countries. Other risks faced by certain developing countries compound the potential consequences of cyberattacks. This is especially true in countries vulnerable to climate change (drought, wildfires) which rely heavily on the proper functioning of water facilities, or in countries already targeted by armed groups, which could use cyberattacks to destabilize or paralyze critical public institutions.
How will the EU and US fund cybersecurity in developing countries?
The US and the EU have already worked together to strengthen cybersecurity provisions in Eastern Europe, campaigning to strengthen government institutions, develop new cyber laws and institute best practices for cybersecurity. Similar moves are now taking place in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, and the new partnership would be the latest manifestation.
The US has been engaged in this global cybersecurity “capacity building” for some time, and while this policy is not entirely altruistic, it can benefit the battle against criminal gangs.
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