The "Global Cybersecurity Index 2024" published by the International Telecommunication Union on September 12 (Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, (Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, https://www.itu.int/en/ITU D/Cybersecurity/Pages/global-cybersecurity-index.aspx) was developed based on the evaluation of 194 countries around 83 questions across 20 indicators.

It is worth noting that compared to 2020, the average global rating in the field of cybersecurity has increased by approximately 20% (the current global average is 65.7 points). Additionally, over 10 countries have achieved the maximum possible score of 100 points this year (e.g., Turkey, the United Kingdom, UAE, South Korea, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Egypt, Mauritius, Qatar, Saudi Arabia). Overall, 47 countries have scored between 95 and 100 points.

The rise in our country's cybersecurity index this year, with a score of 93.76 out of a possible 100, placing us in the "advanced level" (compared to 89.31 points in 2020), should be regarded as the result of successful efforts undertaken in recent years. Notably, achieving the maximum possible score in the "Legal Framework" and "Cooperation" criteria reflects the effectiveness of the measures implemented in these areas. According to the ITU report, there is a need for more intensive efforts in Azerbaijan concerning the criteria related to "Capacity Development," "Technical," and "Organizational" spheres.

It is also worth mentioning that according to a similar international cybersecurity index— the "National Cybersecurity Index" (NCSI), prepared by Estonia's e-Governance Academy Foundation based on the evaluation of countries across 49 indicators— our country has scored 70.83 points and is ranked 18th among the 53 countries assessed so far. In this index, no country has achieved the maximum possible score of 100, and only 20 countries have scored above 70 points.

As a result of the successful efforts undertaken in recent years in the field of cybersecurity, our country’s performance in this index has also significantly improved. At the same time, to further enhance our position in this index, there is a need for continued intensive and coordinated efforts in the cybersecurity sphere.