At the Cyber challenge, 15 teams of young innovators presented solutions & received guidance from experts to develop creative ideas, ranging from P/CVE to cutting-edge tools. Photo: UNOCT
During the 8th review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the General Assembly requested “the Office of Counter-Terrorism and other relevant Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to jointly support innovative measures and approaches to build the capacity of Member States, upon their request, for the challenges and opportunities that new technologies provide, including the human rights aspects, in preventing and countering terrorism"
-- OP41 of the Seventh review: The General Assembly.
Making the World less vulnerable to cyber-enabled terrorism
Cybersecurity and New Tech Programme
The Global Counter Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies was adopted in April 2020 and provides capacity-building support to Member States, international and regional organizations for developing and implementing effective responses to challenges and opportunities that the Internet and other Information and Communications Technologies provide in countering terrorism.
The programme supports Pillar II – Preventing and Combatting Terrorism - of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and implements its activities in collaboration with partners such as United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), Department of Operational Support (DOS), Department of Peace Organization (DPO), Department of Political and Peacekeeping Affairs (DPPA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
The Global Programme supports the UN’s strategic commitment to a world without terrorism by:
- Developing knowledge and raising awareness of challenges and opportunities related to new technologies in countering terrorism;
- Enhancing skills and capacities required to develop and implement effective national counter-terrorism policy responses to the challenges and opportunities of new technologies;
- Enhancing skills and capacities required to protect critical infrastructures against terrorist cyber-attacks; and
- Enhancing criminal justice capacities to counter and investigate terrorist use of new technologies
The programme is funded by the European Union, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Programme impact
Since its inception, the programme has reached or trained over 4500 officials from more than 150 Member States, of which over 1400 were women. Twelve publications have been developed under the scope of the Global programme, with at least 1 more under development for this year.
Programme Mandate
Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2396 (2017) call for Member States to act cooperatively when taking national measures to prevent terrorists from exploiting technology and communications for terrorist acts. Resolution 2396 (2017) also encourages Member States to enhance cooperation with the private sector, especially with information communication technology companies, in gathering digital data and evidence in cases related to terrorism.
The eighth review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (GCTS) expresses concern over the potential use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, and in this regard calls upon all Member States to consider additional measures to counter the use of such technologies for terrorist purposes, including but not limited to artificial intelligence, 3D printing, virtual assets, unmanned aircraft systems, as well as weaponization of commercial drones, consistent with their obligations under international law. Member States are urged to work together and with other relevant stakeholders, including academia, the private sector and civil society to ensure that terrorists do not find safe haven online, while promoting an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet that fosters efficiency, innovation, communication, and economic prosperity. The GCTS also requests the Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and other relevant UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to jointly support innovative measures and approaches to build the capacity of Member States, upon their request, for the challenges and opportunities that new technologies provide, including the human rights aspects, in preventing and countering terrorism.
At the end of October 2022, the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) unanimously adopted the Delhi Declaration, committing Member States to prevent and combat digital forms of terror, notably using drones, social media, and online terrorist financing. A new set of non-binding guiding principles to assist Member States in countering the use of technologies for terrorist purposes will be issued, with a compilation of good practices on the opportunities offered by the same set of technologies to tackle threats.
Human Rights and Gender
In all activities, the Programme supports Member States in ensuring full respect of human rights and the rule of law in their counter-terrorism measures.
The Programme reinforces human rights compliance and mainstreams gender by integrating human rights into its outcomes. This involves launching specific activities for female practitioners and incorporating human rights into its results framework, monitoring and reporting.
Human rights and gender mainstreaming will also be ensured through international and regional cooperation, by applying the biennial reviews of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategies, and relevant Security Council resolutions, and by taking into account the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on Support for Non-United Nations Security Forces (HRDDP).
Achievements
UN Documents on Cybersecurity and New Technologies
- 8th Review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/77/298)
- UN Security Council Resolution 2341 (2017)
- UN Security Council Resolution 2370 (2017)
- Security Council text S/2015/939 (Madrid guiding principles)
- Delhi declaration
- A Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy, 2nd Edition 2021
CT Tech Knowledge Products
- Conducting Terrorist Threat Assessment: The Use of New Technologies for Terrorist Purposes [AR][EN][FR][RU]
- Designing National Counter-Terrorism Policy Responses to Counter the Use of New Technologies for Terrorist Purposes [AR][EN][FR] [RU]
- Guide for Establishing Law Enforcement Cooperation with Technology Companies in Countering Terrorism [AR][EN][FR][RU]
- Law Enforcement Capabilities Framework for New Technologies in Countering Terrorism [AR] [EN][FR][RU]
- Guide for Human-Rights Based Approach to Countering Use of New Technologies for Terrorist Purposes [AR] [EN][FR][RU]
- Guide for First Responders on the Collection of Digital Devices in the Battlefield [AR][EN][FR][RU]
- Establishing Legislative Framework, Transparency Mechanisms and Oversight for Online Data Collection [AR][EN][FR][RU]
Beneath the Surface: Terrorist and Violent Extremist Use of the Dark Web and Cybercrime-As-A-Service for Cyber-Attacks
The report is looking at the evolving landscape of the Dark Web and Cybercrime-as-a-Service, exploring how terrorists and cybercriminals leverage the dark web to procure tools and services for nefarious purposes. It aims to shed light on the intricate relationship between terrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and cybercrime, providing insights and analysis to inform strategies and capacity-building initiatives to counter the convergence of terrorism and cyber threats in the dark corners of the Internet.
Countering Terrorism Online with Artificial Intelligence
The report serves as an introduction to the use of artificial intelligence for countering terrorism online, contextualises possible use cases of artificial intelligence that could be deployed by law enforcement agencies in the region and provides the assessment of key challenges that Member States must overcome to ensure that artificial intelligence for counter terrorism is used responsibly and in full compliance of human rights obligations.
Algorithms and Terrorism
The report is a first attempt by international community to assess what might be reasonably expected when artificial intelligence becomes an instrument in the toolbox of terrorism in order to enable Member States, international and regional organisations, academia and industry to better forecast, prevent and mitigate malicious use of artificial intelligence by terrorists.
The protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks: Compendium of practices
"The protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks: Compendium of good practices" Prepared by CTED with the financial support of UNOCT/UNCCT within the framework of the CTITF Working Group on the Protection of Critical Infrastructure including Vulnerable Targets, Internet and Tourism Security, chaired by INTERPOL.
Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Securing Our Future Report, 2025
This annual report by the Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN) – Artificial Intelligence in Cities: Securing Our Future – builds on the categories outlined by UNOCT
A Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy, 2nd Edition 2021
The Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy is one of the most comprehensive overviews of what constitute successful cybersecurity strategies. It is the result of a unique, collaborative, and equitable multi-stakeholder effort.
Programme insert
Provides overview of the Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies
Useful resources
Substantive programme partners
UNICRI, INTERPOL, OSCE, CTED, DOS, DPO, DPPA, ICAO, OICT, UNODC, ITU