In recent years, cyber incidents have demonstrated the severe economic and societal consequences of digital vulnerabilities. The 2017 global ransomware outbreak caused an estimated $10 billion in damage to businesses, while a 2022 cyberattack in Costa Rica forced the government to declare a national state of emergency, resulting in losses of up to 2.4% of GDP. These events highlight how cyber threats can disrupt essential services, undermine public trust, and erase years of development gains. As economies and public services become increasingly digital, cybersecurity has become a core element of economic growth, national security, and inclusive digital development.
The World Bank Group recognizes that digital transformation can only succeed when the systems supporting it are resilient and trusted. Between 2014 and 2023, the Bank helped Ghana implement reforms that established a National Cybersecurity Authority, strengthened its incident response capabilities, and adopted a national cybersecurity plan, positioning the country as a regional leader in cybersecurity. In the Philippines, the Bank supports a $40 million program to enhance the resilience of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure, focusing on early detection, rapid response, and critical infrastructure risk management. Across the globe, the Bank promotes a “cybersecurity by design” approach, integrating safeguards into digital initiatives from the outset, including through the Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund, which helps governments develop evidence-based, strategic policies.
Experience over the past two decades shows that cybersecurity is most effective when it is strategic, coordinated, and sustained. While technical controls and legal measures are necessary, they are no longer sufficient in a highly connected world. National cybersecurity strategies allow governments to move from reactive responses to proactive planning, providing a shared vision, clarifying responsibilities, prioritizing investments, and aligning cybersecurity with national development priorities. This approach is reflected in the growing adoption of national strategies, which increased from 76 countries in 2018 to 136 in 2024, demonstrating the rising recognition of cybersecurity as a key national concern.
To guide these efforts, the World Bank Group released the third edition of the Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy. Since its first edition in 2018, the Guide has become a key resource for policymakers and national leaders, helping countries structure discussions, engage stakeholders, and translate policy goals into actionable plans. The latest edition emphasizes risk management, protection of critical services, sustainable funding and skills development, and alignment with national development priorities. It draws on lessons from countries on their second and third strategy cycles, offering practical guidance for moving from policy design to effective implementation.
Collaboration is central to the Guide, which reflects input from 37 organizations including multilateral institutions, governments, private sector actors, academia, and civil society. By capturing global experience, the Guide supports countries in building resilient digital systems and embedding cybersecurity as a strategic enabler of development.
As digital transformation accelerates, so do cyber risks. Leadership, sustained investment, and consistent implementation are critical to ensuring cybersecurity strategies deliver tangible results. The World Bank Group continues to support countries in turning strategic frameworks into lasting, inclusive, and resilient digital futures, reinforcing cybersecurity as an essential pillar of sustainable development.
