Lebanon Unveils National Cybersecurity Strategy Against Sophisticated Threats

A Rare Display of Unity in Lebanon’s Cabinet

In a rare display of unity, Lebanon’s cabinet has adopted a long-awaited national cybersecurity strategy aimed at protecting the country against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The National Lebanese Strategy for Cybersecurity was unveiled on August 29 during a cabinet meeting at Beiteddine Palace.

The Making of a Comprehensive Plan

The strategy, which has been in the making for six months, is designed to bolster the nation’s defenses against both internal and external cyber threats. According to sources within the government, the rollout of the cybersecurity strategy was initially slated for November but has now been pushed back due to the ongoing political uncertainty following Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s resignation on October 29.

Key Components of the Strategy

The strategy consists of two main sections: preparation of a cybersecurity strategy and establishment of a national cybersecurity agency. The first part rests on eight pillars, including:

• Defend, Deter, and Reinforce: Safeguards against external and internal threats
• International Cooperation: Foster international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity
• ICT Development: Expand state capacity to support the development of information and communication technology (ICT)
• Cybersecurity Education: Bolster Lebanon’s educational capacity within the realm of cybersecurity
• Industrial Capacity: Build up industrial and technical capacity
• Export Promotion: Promote exports and the global expansion of Lebanese cybersecurity companies
• Public-Private Collaboration: Strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors
• Security Services: Expand the role of security and intelligence services in cybersecurity while boosting mutual cooperation and coordination among these agencies with the support and supervision of higher authorities

The EU’s Crucial Role

The European Union has played a crucial role in bringing the cybersecurity strategy to fruition. The EU’s CyberSouth project aims to foster legislation and policy to expand the institutional capacity of MENA governments to manage digital threats.

Moving Forward: Full-Scale Implementation

Moving forward, the Lebanese government must earmark sufficient sums to guarantee the full-scale implementation of the cybersecurity blueprint.