The agency said more effort is needed in this critical area, particularly since it conveys that governments consider digital risks high priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cCybersecurity is an ecosystem where laws, organizations, skills, cooperation and technical implementation need to be in harmony to be most effective,\u201d stated the report, adding that cybersecurity is \u201cbecoming more and more relevant in the minds of countries\u2019 decision makers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The top 10 most committed countries include three from Asia and the Pacific, two each from Europe and the Americas, and one from Africa, the Arab States, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.<\/p>\n
They are, in order: Singapore, United States, Malaysia, Oman, Estonia, Mauritius, Australia, Georgia, France and Canada. Russia ranked 11th.<\/p>\n
In addition to showing the overall cybersecurity commitment of ITU\u2019s 193 member States, the Index also shows the improvement and strengthening of the five pillars of the ITU Global Cybersecurity Agenda: legal, technical, organizational, capacity building and international cooperation.<\/p>\n
The threat is particularly worrying as in 2016, according to ITU, nearly one per cent of all emails sent were essentially malicious attacks, the highest rate in recent years.<\/p>\n
Last month, a cyberattack crippled tens of thousands of machines around the world. It is unclear who was behind the attack.<\/p>\n
![\"Mr.](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/sustainabledevelopment\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/5-7-17itu-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Mr. Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, ITU. Photo: ITU\/R.Farrell<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWhile the impact generated by cyberattacks, such as those carried out as recently as 27 June 2017, may not be eliminated completely,\u00a0prevention and mitigation measures<\/a>\u00a0to reduce the risks posed by cyber-related threats can and should always be put in place,\u201d said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.<\/p>\n The findings show that there is \u201cspace for further improvement in cooperation\u201d at all levels, according to the report, which advocates for encouraging governments to consider national policies that take into account cybersecurity and encourage private citizens to make smart decisions online.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n