Understanding the importance of international cyber capacity building

Having national ‘cyber capacity’ is important, since it enables states to harness the benefits of digitisation, while protecting a country’s assets and resilience. With this in mind, many of the world’s ‘cyber powers’ are now directing attention and resources to international cyber capacity building – that is, assisting partnered and neighbouring nations to develop their own national cyber capacity. However, although there is a growing awareness of how nations can deliver ‘cybersecurity’, and how important it is to secure domestic systems, the return on investment received from efforts abroad is less immediately visible. This paper will therefore articulate why international capacity building is a worthwhile investment, and outline the value it adds to the ecosystems of beneficiaries and donors alike.

The paper argues in line with the well-versed mantra that cyberspace is only as resilient and prosperous as its weakest link. An ever-growing number of nations are centring digital technologies in their national security and economic development strategies.