Saudi Arabia has been ranked first globally in the United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024, earning the highest designation of Tier 1 – Role-modelling among more than 190 member states. The achievement, announced on September 12, 2024, by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), reflects the Kingdom’s comprehensive approach to cybersecurity under the guidance of its leadership and the coordination of the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN specialized agency for information and communication technologies, assessed countries based on 83 indicators across five pillars: legal measures, organizational measures, cooperation measures, capacity development measures, and technical measures. Saudi Arabia achieved a perfect overall score of 100 out of 100, securing the maximum 20 points for each pillar.
Context and Background
The Global Cybersecurity Index serves as a critical global benchmark, evaluating nations’ commitments to cybersecurity through a rigorous framework. Saudi Arabia’s top-tier classification places it in a select group of countries that demonstrate exemplary practices in cyber governance, legal frameworks, and international cooperation. This achievement follows the Kingdom’s consistent upward trajectory in cybersecurity performance. In 2024, Saudi Arabia also secured first place globally in the cybersecurity indicator of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in digital resilience. The NCA, as the national authority for cybersecurity, oversees the Kingdom’s strategic efforts to protect vital interests, national security, critical infrastructure, and government services.
Key Details
The NCA highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s pioneering position is a direct result of the guidance and support of the Saudi leadership in establishing the ‘Saudi model’ for cybersecurity. This model, developed with contributions from the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), is characterized by centralized cyber governance at the national level—encompassing assessment, response, and capacity building—while operations remain decentralized to national entities. The model has proven effective in enhancing national cybersecurity, technical sovereignty, and international information sharing. The NCA emphasized that this achievement reflects strong collaboration among government, private, and non-profit sectors within the Kingdom’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Implications and Impact
Saudi Arabia’s recognition as a role-modelling nation in cybersecurity sends a strong signal to the international community about the Kingdom’s commitment to digital trust and security. The perfect score across all five pillars demonstrates a balanced and comprehensive approach that can serve as a blueprint for other nations. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, Saudi Arabia’s proactive stance helps protect its rapidly digitizing economy, including sectors critical to Vision 2030 such as finance, energy, and tourism. Regionally, this leadership positions the Kingdom as a key partner in enhancing cybersecurity cooperation across the Middle East and beyond, fostering a safer digital environment for international trade and investment.
Vision 2030 Alignment
This achievement directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives of building a thriving digital economy and a secure, resilient society. Cybersecurity is a foundational pillar for the Kingdom’s ambitious transformation plans, which include expanding e-government services, smart cities, and innovation-driven industries. By achieving the highest global cybersecurity ranking, Saudi Arabia demonstrates that its modernization efforts are underpinned by robust security frameworks that inspire confidence among citizens, businesses, and international partners. This recognition reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to creating a safe and stable digital environment as it continues its journey toward a diversified and sustainable future.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)?
A1. The GCI is a benchmark developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that measures the cybersecurity commitment of member states across five pillars: legal, organizational, cooperation, capacity development, and technical measures.
Q2. What rank did Saudi Arabia achieve in the GCI 2024?
A2. Saudi Arabia achieved the highest possible designation, Tier 1 – Role-modelling, and secured a perfect score of 100 out of 100, ranking first among more than 190 member states.
Q3. Which Saudi authority oversees national cybersecurity?
A3. The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) is the national entity in charge of cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia, serving as the national authority and reference on cybersecurity affairs.
Q4. How many indicators does the GCI use in its assessment?
A4. The GCI assesses countries using 83 indicators grouped into five pillars, providing a comprehensive evaluation of each nation’s cybersecurity posture.
Q5. What is the Saudi model in cybersecurity?
A5. The Saudi model centralizes cyber governance at the national level for assessment, response, and capacity building, while decentralizing operational tasks to national entities.
Q6. Which company contributed to developing the Saudi cybersecurity model?
A6. The Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) contributed to the development of the Saudi model for cybersecurity, supporting the nation’s strategic approach.
Q7. When was the GCI 2024 result announced?
A7. The result was announced on September 12, 2024, by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing the International Telecommunication Union’s classification.
Q8. What does the Tier 1 – Role-modelling designation mean?
A8. Tier 1 – Role-modelling is the highest classification in the GCI, indicating that a country demonstrates exemplary cybersecurity practices and can serve as a model for others.
Q9. How many points did Saudi Arabia score in the GCI 2024?
A9. Saudi Arabia achieved a perfect overall score of 100 out of 100, with 20 out of 20 points in each of the five assessment pillars.
Q10. What other global cybersecurity ranking has Saudi Arabia topped in 2024?
A10. Saudi Arabia also secured first place globally in the cybersecurity indicator of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook for 2024.
Q11. Why is cybersecurity important for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?
A11. Cybersecurity is foundational for Vision 2030’s digital economy, e-government expansion, smart city development, and building trust among citizens, businesses, and international investors.
Q12. What sectors benefit from Saudi Arabia’s strong cybersecurity posture?
A12. Sectors such as finance, energy, tourism, government services, and critical infrastructure benefit from robust cybersecurity frameworks that protect data and operations.
Q13. How does the GCI assess legal measures?
A13. The legal measures pillar evaluates national laws, regulations, and frameworks related to cybersecurity, including data protection and cybercrime legislation.
Q14. What is the role of the NCA in Saudi Arabia?
A14. The NCA is responsible for improving Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity posture, safeguarding vital interests, national security, critical infrastructure, and government services.
Q15. Did the private sector contribute to this achievement?
A15. Yes, the NCA emphasized strong collaboration among government, private, and non-profit sectors as a key factor in achieving the top GCI ranking.
Q16. What is the organizational measures pillar in the GCI?
A16. The organizational measures pillar assesses the existence and effectiveness of national cybersecurity strategies, agencies, and coordination mechanisms.
Q17. How does Saudi Arabia’s ranking affect international cooperation?
A17. The top ranking positions Saudi Arabia as a key partner for international cybersecurity cooperation, fostering information sharing and joint initiatives globally.
Q18. What is the GCI’s capacity development measures pillar?
A18. This pillar evaluates a country’s efforts to develop cybersecurity skills, training programs, educational resources, and public awareness initiatives.
Q19. How does the GCI define technical measures?
A19. The technical measures pillar examines the implementation of technical capabilities such as national Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) and cybersecurity standards.
Q20. What does Saudi Arabia’s perfect score signal to other nations?
A20. Saudi Arabia’s perfect score demonstrates that a comprehensive, balanced approach across all cybersecurity aspects is achievable, offering a replicable model for other countries.
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