Who sets the global rules for cyber—and how nations are building resilience, alliances, and deterrence.
Cybersecurity has become a pillar of national security, digital economy growth, and global diplomacy. From ransomware attacks on hospitals to interference in democratic elections, governments worldwide now treat cyber threats as matters of statecraft—not just IT hygiene. While national strategies differ, a few shared patterns have emerged: defence of critical infrastructure, capacity building, and international coordination.
This article outlines how governments around the world are shaping cybersecurity policy—individually and collectively—and where influence, funding, and global norms are being forged.
1. Multilateral Forums and Cyber Diplomacy
United Nations (UN) – Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICTs
- Role: Establishes international norms, confidence-building measures, and voluntary principles for state behaviour in cyberspace.
- Why it matters: Although non-binding, OEWG discussions influence global standards and set expectations for state conduct during peacetime.
Link: https://www.un.org/disarmament/ict-security/
NATO – Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)
- Headquartered in: Tallinn, Estonia
- Activities:
- Organises Locked Shields, the world’s largest cyber defence exercise.
- Publishes the Tallinn Manual on cyber warfare law.
- Why it matters: Key hub for collective cyber defence strategy among NATO members.
Link: https://ccdcoe.org/
OECD – Digital Security Policy Committee
- Role: Creates recommendations and guidance on digital security risk management, data governance, and resilience.
- Why it matters: OECD frameworks influence national legislation and digital trust strategies, especially in high-income countries.
Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
- Role: Facilitates global capacity-building for cyber resilience in developing countries.
- Why it matters: Key platform for international development agencies, NGOs, and governments supporting cyber infrastructure globally.
Link: https://thegfce.org/
2. Country-Level Strategies and Leadership Examples
Estonia
- Known for: E-government, e-residency, cyber defence leadership.
- Notable Actions: Early victim of state-sponsored DDoS attacks (2007) that led to national cyber doctrine and NATO hosting CCDCOE in Tallinn.
Israel
- Approach: Defence-first, export-driven, high-tech innovation.
- Key Agencies: Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) and Unit 8200.
- Why it matters: Pioneers in OT security, threat intelligence, and cyber startups; strong global export footprint.
Singapore
- Model: Centralised, technocratic, and innovation-focused.
- Key Body: Cyber Security Agency (CSA) of Singapore.
- Initiatives: Leads the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence and has strong cyber diplomacy in Southeast Asia.
Australia
- Key Strategy: 2023–2030 Cyber Security Strategy includes a ‘six shields’ framework: citizens, businesses, critical infrastructure, government, technology, and global engagement.
- Regulator: Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), under the Australian Signals Directorate.
Link: https://www.cyber.gov.au
United Arab Emirates
- Approach: Government-led, with a push for regional cyber leadership.
- Entity: UAE Cybersecurity Council; strong collaboration with private sector, especially in AI, fintech, and energy.
India
- Focus Areas: Critical infrastructure protection, cybercrime, and digital services trust.
- Agency: Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
- Challenges: Balancing digital inclusion, sovereignty, and international norms.
Brazil
- Leadership Role: In Latin America cyber coordination and public-private partnerships.
- Strategy: Emphasises democratic norms, inclusion, and the protection of public institutions from disinformation.
3. Cross-Border Cyber Threat Coordination
Bilateral and Multilateral Alliances
- US–UK Joint Cyber Partnership: Includes intelligence collaboration and shared frameworks (e.g. zero trust, supply chain assurance).
- Five Eyes (FVEY): Intelligence-sharing alliance between the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—with growing cybersecurity collaboration.
- EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox: Enables collective responses to cyber incidents, including sanctions.
CERT-to-CERT Cooperation
National Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs or CSIRTs) increasingly operate via:
- FIRST.org: The Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams—connects over 600 teams globally.
- APCERT (Asia-Pacific), AfricaCERT, and LATIN American CSIRTs: Regional forums for collaboration and information exchange.
Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Coordination
- INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate: Coordinates global cybercrime investigations.
- Europol EC3: European Cybercrime Centre; leads cross-border takedowns, threat intelligence, and training.
- Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: The first binding international treaty on cybercrime, adopted by 66+ countries.
4. Global Capacity Building and Funding
World Bank and Regional Development Banks
- Support national cyber strategies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially via digital infrastructure funding.
UK FCDO’s Digital Access and Cyber Programmes
- Funds capacity building, resilience projects, and policy development across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.
USAID / USTDA
- Promote cybersecurity standards, incident response, and digital resilience through trade and technical assistance programmes.
5. How to Engage with Global Government Cyber Agendas
- Attend global forums: Munich Security Conference, IGF (Internet Governance Forum), CYBERUK (UK), Cyber Week Tel Aviv.
- Contribute to standards: ISO/IEC, ITU-T, and IEEE bodies shaping global security protocols.
- Collaborate through aid or capacity-building: Via GFCE, UK FCDO, or US State Department partnerships.
- Leverage diaspora and embassies: Many countries support cyber startups and tech experts abroad through trade missions, attachés, and embassy-driven innovation efforts.
Final Thoughts
In today’s interconnected world, no cyber threat or strategy exists in isolation. Governments around the globe are rapidly upgrading their cyber capabilities—through alliances, standards, innovation, and shared norms. From NATO exercises to UN frameworks, from Tel Aviv to Tallinn, cyber is now central to diplomacy and defence.
For cybersecurity professionals, founders, and researchers, the opportunity is clear: align with national strategies, show up in global discussions, and build partnerships that extend beyond borders.
Cyber is global. Influence is earned. Strategy is shared.
