GCF Institute Unveils Strategic Goals for Child Protection and Women in Cybersecurity

The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) Institute has announced the strategic targets of two landmark global initiatives launched by HRH the Crown Prince, focusing on child protection in cyberspace and women empowerment in cybersecurity. The announcement was made during the GCF Annual Meeting 2024, held in Riyadh from October 2–3 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. These initiatives aim to address critical global challenges in cybersecurity by advancing collective action and unifying international efforts.

Context and Background

Cybersecurity has emerged as a pressing global concern, with children increasingly vulnerable online and the sector facing a significant workforce shortage. According to the GCF, only 14% of countries have established a national strategy to protect children in cyberspace, while approximately 72% of children worldwide have experienced at least one cyber threat. Additionally, more than half of organizations lack specialized cybersecurity human resources, with women representing no more than 25% of the workforce. The Crown Prince’s initiatives respond directly to these urgent needs.

Key Details of the Initiatives

The Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) initiative aims to strengthen global response through international cooperation, building on a 2022 GCF global study that involved over 40,000 participants from 24 countries. Achievements already include capacity-building programs that engaged more than 720 government agencies worldwide, and a new collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) titled ‘Towards a Secure and Prosperous Cyberspace for Children’, which produced guidelines in 25 languages. The initiative targets reaching over 150 million children, developing cyber safety skills for more than 16 million beneficiaries, and supporting child protection frameworks in more than 50 countries.

The Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) initiative addresses the workforce gap by empowering women in the field. A GCF international study, ‘Empowering Women to Work in Cybersecurity is a Win-Win’, surveyed over 3,000 specialists from 26 countries, identifying barriers to entry and practical solutions. The WEC initiative includes a mentorship program, the Cyber Leadership Launchpad, designed to help women build and sustain influential leadership roles. Ambitions include raising cybersecurity awareness for over six million students, developing skills for four million students, and offering specialized training to more than 30,000 employees globally.

Implications and International Impact

These initiatives position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in addressing cyber challenges that transcend borders. By focusing on vulnerable populations such as children and underrepresented groups like women, the Kingdom promotes a more inclusive and resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. The GCF Institute, established by Royal Order as an independent non-profit organization, oversees the implementation of these initiatives, fostering collaboration and purposeful dialogue among governments, industry, and civil society worldwide. This approach enhances global cyber resilience and sets a precedent for coordinated international action.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The CPC and WEC initiatives directly support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by promoting economic diversification, human capital development, and international cooperation. By investing in cybersecurity capacities and empowering women, the Kingdom strengthens its digital infrastructure and workforce, driving innovation and sustainable growth. These efforts align with Vision 2030’s goal of building a vibrant society and thriving economy, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global leadership in technology and social progress.

20 Questions

Q1. What are the two global initiatives announced by the GCF Institute?

A1. The two initiatives are the Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) initiative and the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) initiative, both launched under the patronage of HRH the Crown Prince.

Q2. When and where were these strategic targets revealed?

A2. The targets were revealed during the GCF Annual Meeting 2024, hosted in Riyadh from October 2–3, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Q3. Why are these initiatives considered important globally?

A3. They address critical gaps: only 14% of countries have child protection strategies, 72% of children face online threats, and women comprise less than 25% of the cybersecurity workforce, making coordinated action essential.

Q4. What is the main goal of the Child Protection in Cyberspace initiative?

A4. The goal is to advance collective action by increasing global awareness among decision-makers about threats to children and strengthening international cooperation for protection in cyberspace.

Q5. What did the 2022 GCF study on child protection reveal?

A5. The study, ‘Why Children are Unsafe in Cyberspace’, involved over 40,000 participants from 24 countries, increasing understanding of global needs to create integrated strategies and frameworks.

Q6. How many government agencies participated in CPC capacity-building programs?

A6. More than 720 government agencies from around the world participated in these programs, demonstrating strong international engagement.

Q7. What is the ITU collaboration under the CPC initiative?

A7. Titled ‘Towards a Secure and Prosperous Cyberspace for Children’, it resulted in guidelines for protecting children online, now available in 25 languages across various world regions.

Q8. What are the ambitious targets of the CPC initiative?

A8. The CPC aims to reach over 150 million children, develop skills for more than 16 million beneficiaries, and support child protection frameworks in over 50 countries.

Q9. What problem does the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity initiative address?

A9. It addresses the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, where over half of organizations lack specialized staff, and women’s participation is below 25%.

Q10. What did the GCF study on women in cybersecurity find?

A10. The study, ‘Empowering Women to Work in Cybersecurity is a Win-Win’, involved over 3,000 specialists from 26 countries, focusing on barriers and pathways to narrowing the workforce gap.

Q11. What is the Cyber Leadership Launchpad program?

A11. It is a mentorship program under the WEC initiative that helps women build leadership roles in cybersecurity, featuring international women leaders sharing experiences.

Q12. What are the global objectives of the WEC initiative?

A12. The WEC aims to raise awareness for over six million students, develop skills for four million students, and train more than 30,000 employees worldwide.

Q13. Who oversees the implementation of these initiatives?

A13. The GCF Institute, established by Royal Order in 2023 as a global independent non-profit organization, oversees implementation to enhance cyber resilience.

Q14. How does Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 relate to these initiatives?

A14. These initiatives support Vision 2030 by promoting digital infrastructure, human capital development, women’s empowerment, and economic diversification, aligning with the Kingdom’s modernization goals.

Q15. What is the broader mission of the GCF Institute?

A15. The institute aims to enhance global cyber resilience through fostering collaboration, purposeful dialogue, and impactful initiatives that unite international efforts.

Q16. Why is child protection in cyberspace a global challenge?

A16. With 72% of children experiencing cyber threats and few national strategies, the issue requires coordinated international action to protect vulnerable populations online.

Q17. How does the WEC initiative help address the workforce shortage?

A17. By empowering women and providing training and leadership programs, it taps into a large talent pool to fill the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.

Q18. What role does international cooperation play in these initiatives?

A18. Both initiatives rely on global partnerships, such as with the ITU, to develop frameworks and guidelines that unify efforts across countries and regions.

Q19. How were these initiatives received at the GCF Annual Meeting?

A19. The meeting highlighted positive engagement from global stakeholders, reflecting strong support for Saudi Arabia’s leadership in addressing critical cybersecurity challenges.

Q20. What is the long-term impact expected from these initiatives?

A20. They are expected to improve global cyber resilience, protect children online, expand the cybersecurity workforce, and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in digital safety and innovation.

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