Prime Minister Theresa May will be pledging up to £15m to help Commonwealth countries strengthen their cyber security defences and help to tackle criminal groups who pose a global threat to security.
The package was announced on the eve of the formal Heads of Government Meeting where leaders agreed on the ‘Commonwealth Cyber Declaration’, the world’s largest inter-governmental commitment on cyber security cooperation.
The declaration aims to commit Commonwealth members to “raising national levels of cyber security and increased cooperation” to counter those who seek to undermine the countries’ values, security and even the integrity of elections.
“The future is at the heart of the Commonwealth events being held this week and with that, we must look towards the emerging challenges that we and our Commonwealth partners face,” Theresa May said.
“Cyber security affects us all, as online crime does not respect international borders.
“I have called on Commonwealth leaders to take action and to work collectively to tackle this threat.
“Our package of funding will enable members to review their cyber security capability, and deliver the stability and resilience that we all need to stay safe online and grow our digital economies.”
The new funding will support Commonwealth partners as they prevent and respond to cyber security risks affecting governments, businesses and citizens.
£5.5m of the funding will enable low and middle income Commonwealth members to carry out national cyber security capacity reviews before the next Heads of Government meeting in 2020.
It will help provide technical assistance, training and advice to address a wide range of cyber security and cyber crime threats.