The Level of Cybersecurity of the BRICS Member Countries in International Ratings: Prospects for Cooperation

Abstract

Creating a legal framework for cybersecurity is a key factor in the digitalization of an economy. The interaction between the BRICS member countries has undergone a digital transformation, which has improved their ability to work together economically and strengthened the growing influence of these countries in the international arena. The purpose of the present study is to determine the potential of the BRICS member nations to form a joint cybersecurity strategy. The authors put forward a hypothesis that the formation of an effective cybersecurity system is possible only with a sufficient level of development of information and communication technologies and a high degree of digitalization of interstate governance. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its complex approach to the scientific and theoretical analysis of the problems of ensuring cybersecurity in the BRICS member countries, on the basis of which it identifies the common areas for cooperation. The research methodology is based on establishing a correlation between the indicators of e-government development and the criteria for state cybersecurity, followed by a comparative analysis. As a quantitative indicator, the authors use the data of the E-Government Development Index for the BRICS member countries from 2010 to 2018. Additionally, the level of maturity of each country’s national cybersecurity system is reflected in the rating of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Based on the ITU rating, we assess the cybersecurity efficiency of the BRICS member countries versus other countries. The findings of the research lead the authors to the conclusion that state control over cyberspace and the availability of a national strategy are prerequisites for achieving a high level of cybersecurity.