Lebanon National Cyber Security Strategy

The Lebanon National Cyber Security Strategy lays out a comprehensive plan to secure the country’s digital environment. It acknowledges the critical role of cybersecurity in maintaining national stability, safeguarding personal data, and ensuring the functioning of both public and private sectors. This strategy emphasises that trust in cyberspace is foundational for the success of digital transformation and international cooperation.

The strategy begins by contextualising Lebanon’s digital challenges. It highlights the vulnerabilities exposed by increasing cyber threats, including cybercrime, espionage, and ransomware, which pose significant risks to the country’s infrastructure, economy, and citizen privacy. Despite some initial measures, Lebanon lacks a unified approach to cybersecurity. The absence of regulatory frameworks, a central cybersecurity agency, and sufficient cooperation between stakeholders has left the nation’s cyberspace fragmented and underprepared for evolving threats.

Recognising these challenges, the strategy proposes eight strategic pillars:

• Defend, deter, and reinforce against cyber threats.
• Develop international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity.
• Continuously enhance state capacities to support information and communication technology (ICT) development.
• Promote educational initiatives and capacity development on Lebanese territory.
• Strengthen industrial and technical capabilities in cybersecurity.
• Support the export and internationalisation of Lebanese cybersecurity companies.
• Foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
• Reinforce the role of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating cyber threats.

The strategy also underscores the importance of institutionalisation, leading to the creation of the National Cyber Security and Information System Agency (NCSIA). This agency will act as a centralised body to enforce regulations, manage incidents, and coordinate efforts among public institutions, private companies, and international partners.

The objectives of the strategy are clearly defined:

• Encourage active participation from the government, businesses, and individuals to secure cyberspace.
• Enhance the availability and usability of services while ensuring transparency and reducing risks.
• Develop effective mechanisms for incident management and response to mitigate cyber threats.
• Establish frameworks to defend Lebanon’s critical infrastructure and economy against evolving threats.
• Build a culture of cybersecurity awareness and capacity development to fill the gap in skilled professionals.
• Strengthen partnerships with international bodies to address cross-border cybercrime.
• Promote the development and adoption of secure technologies and digital practices across all sectors.

The implementation plan involves significant investment in legal frameworks, technical infrastructure, and educational initiatives. It stresses the need for robust training programs to create a workforce capable of addressing cybersecurity challenges. Additionally, the government seeks to foster collaboration with private industry and academia to promote innovation and reduce reliance on foreign technologies.

By prioritising international cooperation, Lebanon aims to align with global cybersecurity standards and enhance its defensive capabilities through shared knowledge and resources. This strategy not only aspires to protect Lebanon’s digital environment but also to position the nation as a proactive participant in the global fight against cybercrime.