An NCS, or National Cybersecurity Strategy, is a comprehensive framework developed by national leaders and policymakers to guide a country's approach to cybersecurity, addressing aspects like cyber risks, preparedness, resilience, and secure use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Key Functions of NCS

Key functions of a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) involve addressing various aspects of cybersecurity to ensure a secure and resilient digital environment. These functions are designed to support national leaders and policymakers in developing comprehensive and effective strategies tailored to their specific context. Some of the key functions include:

• Governance: Establishing a clear governance structure for national cybersecurity, including roles, responsibilities, and accountability of stakeholders.

• Risk Management: Implementing good practices for addressing cybersecurity through risk management, including threat assessments and defining a risk management approach.

• Preparedness and Resilience: Developing and sustaining national capabilities for cybersecurity incident response and overall cyber-resilience.

• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Identifying and protecting Critical Infrastructures (CIs) and Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs), and enhancing their resilience.

The Importance of NCS in Cybersecurity

Implementing a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) is crucial for enhancing a nation's security and economic well-being in the digital age. By providing a comprehensive framework for addressing cyber risks, NCS fosters international cooperation, supports strategic thinking, and contributes to the achievement of socio-economic objectives, ensuring that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are used securely and confidently.

Moreover, NCS plays a vital role in protecting critical information infrastructures and promoting a safe, secure, and resilient digital environment. By adopting good practices and tailoring strategies to the national context, countries can effectively manage vulnerabilities and emerging threats at the national, regional, and international levels.

NCS vs. Traditional Security Measures

Comparing National Cybersecurity Strategies (NCS) to traditional security measures highlights key differences in their approaches:

• Comprehensiveness: NCS focuses on a strategic, multi-stakeholder approach addressing governance, risk management, preparedness, critical infrastructure protection, capacity building, legislation, and international cooperation, while traditional security measures may not fully cover these aspects.

• Adaptability: NCS offers a more holistic, adaptable, and forward-looking approach to addressing cybersecurity risks, whereas traditional security measures may lack the flexibility to adapt to the dynamic and evolving nature of cyber threats.

Implementing NCS: Best Practices

This is how you implement a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) using best practices:

1. Identify the need for NCS by assessing the evolving cyber risk landscape, the foundational role of cybersecurity in achieving socio-economic objectives, and the increasing complexity of threats that require strategic, defensive, and proactive responses.

2. Develop a plan for NCS implementation by following a structured approach, including initiation, stocktaking and analysis, production, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, supported by overarching principles and good practice recommendations.

3. Train employees on NCS best practices by educating and training national policymakers, legislators, regulators, and other relevant stakeholders on cybersecurity responsibilities and best practices.

4. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of NCS implementation through regular assessments and adjustments based on performance and evolving threats, ensuring continuous improvement across various focus areas such as governance, risk management, and preparedness and resilience.