Secure Internet and Cybersecurity

One of the memories that will remain of 2021 is the cyberattacks in major impact events, such as the fuel disruption in a pipeline in the U.S. via the hijacking of data of the owner company. Cybersecurity has been gaining strength, even before the massive digitalization that took place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The change of habits, the digital presence and particularly the increase of digital transactions leave us in a more vulnerable position before risks in the digital world. It does not matter if the cause is the failure of a component (hardware or software), power outage or the criminal action of some unknown hacker seeking a profit. This has led organizations and states to take action to address these risks.

In the context of multilateral action, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) considers cybersecurity as a shared responsibility that requires coordinated action on the prevention, preparation, response and recovery of incidents by government authorities, the private sector and civil society. This framework is often referred to as the National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) and is a critical element for the socio-economic security of any nation. The ITU presents a Reference Guide to help countries create an effective national cybersecurity framework. Similarly, the ITU monitors the progress of countries in the field of Cybersecurity, with the GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY INDEX which is built on five pillars: (i) legal measures, (ii) technical measures, (iii) organizational measures, (iv) capacity building and (v) cooperation.

Also at the regional level, the OAS and ECLAC have developed initiatives to evaluate the state of the region in terms of cybersecurity, strengthen cooperation and build capacities.

Wider perspectives such as those of the Internet Society (ISOC), which works to make the internet open, globally connected, secure and reliable, are helping make cybersecurity not only a response to criminal actions, but include broad solutions that boost communication and digitalization as factors of improvement for human activities and the evolution of ecosystems on the planet.

At CAF, cybersecurity has been explored and developed in projects ranging from digital infrastructure development, the evaluation and proposal of digital transformation of the region, the development of a digital single market and the digital economy, and the knowledge-based digital industries.

After 2 years of pandemic, with a massification of digital presence and transactions, digital risks have become increasingly present. But its approach must encompass the hybrid world we are only beginning to outline: cities, production, supply chains and the very lives of individuals, who interact daily between the physical and virtual worlds. The way in which digital content is produced and consumed must be able to distinguish counterfeits in (Deepfakes); operational technology (OT) must be protected to ensure industrial and productive operation; the transactions of individuals, companies and states must be secure and reliable. This is how CAF envisions digital transformation and works with the countries of the region to realize the full potential of this transformation.