4.14. Integrating cybersecurity in development assistance programs

World Bank

Despite the growing need to elevate levels of cyber preparedness and resilience in developing countries, cybersecurity and cyber capacity building efforts are often underprioritized and underfunded. Mobilizing domestic funding for cybersecurity activities can be particularly burdensome for countries with limited resources and many other competing development priorities. To support developing countries in strengthening their digital economies, safeguarding their digital transformation, and increasing their cyber resilience, international development finance institutions, such as the World Bank, are providing resources and technical assistance that can help client countries identify, select, prioritize, and finance specific cybersecurity activities or solutions. Drawing on the experience of countries that have successfully integrated cybersecurity activities into development projects, there are lessons to be learned as well as good practices and models for the implementation and expansion of such cybersecurity activities as components of development projects.

1. How could developing countries leverage lending opportunities to support the integration of cybersecurity activities into development projects?
2. What are some of the good practices and approaches for the implementation of these cybersecurity activities?
3. What are the key challenges and lessons learned in designing and implementing cybersecurity components?