Saudi Arabia Named 'Role-modelling' in the UN Global Cybersecurity Index

Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as a cybersecurity leader, securing the highest ranking in the United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024. The International Telecommunication Union recognized Saudi Arabia's exceptional performance, classifying it as Tier 1 – Role-modelling among more than 190 member states. 

The index measures countries’ commitments towards cybersecurity through 83 indicators grouped into five pillars: legal measures, organizational measures, cooperation measures, capacity development measures and technical measures. The Kingdom secured an overall (GCI) perfect score of 100/100, securing 20 out of 20 points per pillar.

The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) highlighted the index's significance as a global benchmark for cybersecurity. Saudi Arabia's outstanding performance in all five pillars underscores its leadership in cybersecurity.

The NCA said that the Kingdom's pioneering position is a result of the guidance and support of the Saudi leadership in laying the foundation stone for the Saudi model in cybersecurity, carried out with the contribution of the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE).

The Saudi model is based on the centralization of cyber governance at the national level, including assessment, response, and national capacity building, and the decentralization of operations entrusted to national entities. This successful model's outputs have contributed to enhancing national cybersecurity and technical sovereignty and enhancing information sharing in international cooperation.

The NCA also said that this leading position is a continuation of the Kingdom's advancements, as evidenced by its recent achievement of first place globally in the cybersecurity indicator, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook for 2024.

The authority added that this achievement is a testament to the Kingdom's dedication to cybersecurity excellence, both domestically and internationally, and the strong collaboration among government, private, and non-profit sectors within the cybersecurity ecosystem.

NCA is the national entity in charge of cybersecurity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and serves as the national authority and reference on its affairs. NCA aims to improve the cybersecurity posture of the Kingdom in order to safeguard its vital interests, national security, critical infrastructures, high-priority sectors, and government services and activities.