GFCE Cybersecurity Knowledge Modules

Introduction to the GFCE course
KM1- Mapping cybersecurity and the broader context
Module objectives
1. Introduction: Digital interdependence and geostrategic challenges
2. Mapping cybersecurity
2 Topics
2.1. Introducing the concept
2.2. Key risks, targets, and perpetrators of cyberattacks
3. The broader context of cybersecurity
3 Topics
3.1. Cybersecurity and economy: Cyber capacity building as a way to enhance trust in the digital economy
3.2. Cybersecurity and human rights: Can we have both?
3.3. Addressing the gender issue
4. Main takeaways
KM 2 - Cybersecurity strategy, policy and regulation
Module objectives
1. Introduction
2. What is a national cybersecurity strategy?
3. Cybersecurity strategies in Africa
4. Benefits and uses of cybersecurity strategy
5. Phases of developing and implementing a national strategy
6. The levers to drive strategy implementation
7. Role of legislation and regulation
8. Process for developing legislation and regulation part 1
(strategy to policy)
9. Process for developing legislation and regulation part 2 (policy to regulation)
10. Support for producing regulation
11. Monitoring and evaluation
12. Funding
13. Assignment
1 Quiz
KM2 Quiz
KM3 - Cyber diplomacy and international cooperation
Module objectives
1. Risks for international peace and cyber-stability
3 Topics
1.1 Cyber-attacks and geopolitics
1.2 Cyber as part of hybrid warfare
1.3 Cyber-armament
2. Towards an international agreement
4 Topics
2.1. Framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace
2.2. Applicability of international law
2.3. Norms, confidence building measures, and capacity building
2.4 Broader context
3. International cooperation
4 Topics
3.1. The United Nations
3.2. Other multilateral forums
3.3. Regional efforts
3.4. Multistakeholder efforts
4. Cyber diplomacy
1 of 4
Previous Lesson
Next Lesson

10. Support for producing regulation

GFCE Cybersecurity Knowledge Modules 10. Support for producing regulation

There are various sources to learn good practices for developing regulations which countries can draw from. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has produced over twenty years of guidance on the features of good regulation.   It encourages countries to have their principles for good regulation, which many do and should be a reference point for those developing national cybersecurity regulations.

Researchers assessing the quality of regulation in the Digital Markets Act produced a framework of principles of good regulation – drawing on OECD and WEF guidance – that could be helpful to officials in a cybersecurity context. (Bauer et al. 2022, 6)  The headline principles are:

  1. Clear policy objectives based on solving a factual well-identified issue with proven intervention mechanisms
  2. Clarity of compliance regulations
  3. Proportionality and adaptability

Sources of cybersecurity-specific guidance and support for regulation development include:

  • Capacity building training and advisory projects on regulations (e.g. Commonwealth Secretariat; ITU; Cyber4Dev).
  • Some capacity building programs, especially the World Bank’s, include support for sectoral regulation alongside investments in infrastructure (e.g. the Bank’s Digital Malawi project). 

Regional workshops are held to discuss the harmonisation of regulation, such as the 2015 UNCTAD-ECOWAS West African seminar as part of E-Commerce Week.

Previous Lesson
Back to Course
Next Lesson
Skip to content