The Global Centre for Cybersecurity (GCC), based in Geneva, will function as an autonomous organisation under the auspices of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The GCC will provide the first global platform for governments, businesses, experts and law enforcement agencies to collaborate on cybersecurity challenges.

The WEF describes cyber-attacks as a borderless problem that has already surpassed the capacity of the institutions that are currently dealing with the issue in an isolated manner. It explains that as new technologies permeate further into society, keeping cybersecurity relevant and effective is crucial.

The application of tech in sensitive areas such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications and mobility make it all the more important that cyber-defence evolves with the increasing speed and sophistication of cyber-attacks.

The GCC is the WEF’s response to this threat, which it considers to be the world’s most critical risk, it states that it wants to prevent a “digital dark age.”

A global collective response to cyber-threats

Through its established multi-stakeholder approach, the centre will be able to draw on the WEF’s government and industry support to work towards a more secure cyberspace.

Alois Zwinggi, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum and Head of the Global Centre for Cybersecurity said, “The new Global Centre for Cybersecurity is designed as the first platform to tackle today’s cyber-risks in a truly global manner.”

According to the WEF website, “Only through collaboration, information exchange and common standards can the global community successfully counter organised digital crime.”

Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of Interpol said, “Interpol is a natural strategic partner for the World Economic Forum’s Global Cyber Centre. Both are unique because their global dimension underpins our collective response against the cyber threat.”

“Our partnership contributes to building effective security architecture against such global threats, bringing key interdependent actors together, including police and business.”

The centre will focus on the following aims:

• Consolidating existing cybersecurity initiatives of the WEF
• Establishing an independent library of cyber best practices
• Helping partners to enhance knowledge on cybersecurity
• Working towards an appropriate and agile regulatory framework on cybersecurity
• Serving as a laboratory and early-warning think tank for future cybersecurity scenarios