 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Photo: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs) |
The initiative comes amid a global shortage of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals and skills gaps reported by 43% of information security executives, according to the GCF 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report.
The program will offer expert-led workshops, training and education courses, international simulations and cyber drills, policy development support, and collaborative research and development. It is designed to strengthen the skills of a wide range of beneficiaries worldwide, including policymakers, law enforcement agencies and cyber diplomats.
Implementation will be led by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), and the GCF, in partnership with UN agencies.
In a message to the forum, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said cyberspace was essential for innovation and opportunity, but warned that its vulnerabilities could undermine trust, disrupt societies and threaten peace. He said the international community must act collectively to ensure cyberspace serves the common good by investing in people, building skills and fostering inclusion.
