Policy Analysis: Costa Rica’s National Cybersecurity Strategy

Title: Costa Rica’s National Cybersecurity Strategy
Issuing Authority: Government of Costa Rica, National Cybersecurity Council (CNC)
Release Date: 2019
Scope: National policy with implications for government agencies, critical infrastructure, the private sector, and international cooperation.
Focus: Strengthening Costa Rica's cybersecurity capabilities, safeguarding national infrastructure, promoting secure digital transformation, and fostering international collaborations.

Enhance National Cybersecurity Resilience: Establish a robust cybersecurity framework to protect national interests from cyber threats.
Secure Critical Infrastructure: Safeguard key sectors such as energy, finance, healthcare, and telecommunications from cyber threats and attacks.
Promote Cybersecurity Culture: Increase awareness and preparedness in both the public and private sectors to foster a culture of cybersecurity.
Strengthen Government Cybersecurity: Develop stronger cybersecurity governance and improve the resilience of government institutions against cyberattacks.
Build Cybersecurity Capacity: Develop and enhance the national cybersecurity workforce, including education and training to address the growing demand for skilled professionals.
Foster International Cooperation: Promote international collaboration and information sharing on cybersecurity matters with regional and global partners.

Pillar	Focus Areas	Key Actions
1. Strengthen National Cybersecurity Resilience	Risk management, national governance	Establish national cybersecurity policies and frameworks for critical sectors, implement risk assessment models.
2. Secure Critical Infrastructure	Protection of critical sectors	Develop sector-specific cybersecurity standards for infrastructure such as energy, telecommunications, and healthcare.
3. Promote Cybersecurity Culture	Public-private cooperation, awareness campaigns	Conduct national cybersecurity awareness programs, establish public-private collaboration for threat detection and mitigation.
4. Strengthen Government Cybersecurity	Governance, capacity building	Improve cybersecurity measures within government institutions, create centralized cybersecurity response teams.
5. Build Cybersecurity Capacity	Education, workforce development	Establish cybersecurity training centers, develop national cybersecurity certification programs, and strengthen public cybersecurity education.
6. Foster International Cooperation	Regional partnerships, information sharing	Join international cybersecurity organizations, engage in cross-border cooperation for cyber defense and threat intelligence sharing.

Cybersecurity Governance: Establishment of the National Cybersecurity Council (CNC) to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across government and private sectors.
Protection of Critical Infrastructure: Creation of specific cybersecurity laws and frameworks aimed at protecting sectors vital to the economy and national security, including energy and telecommunications.
Data Protection: Alignment with Costa Rica’s Data Protection Law to ensure that cybersecurity efforts also address data privacy and personal information protection.
Cybercrime Legislation: Strengthen laws related to cybercrime and develop a legal framework to prosecute cybercriminal activities effectively.
Public-Private Cooperation: Introduce regulations that foster better information sharing and collaboration between government agencies and private businesses to enhance national cybersecurity efforts.

Stakeholder	Impact
Government	Improved cybersecurity governance, incident response capabilities, and resilience.
Private Sector	Increased cybersecurity regulations and awareness, enhanced collaboration with government on cyber defense.
Individuals	Increased awareness of personal cybersecurity risks and improved safety for digital citizens.
International Partners	Stronger regional and international cybersecurity cooperation, enhanced threat intelligence sharing.
Critical Infrastructure Operators	More robust cybersecurity protocols and regulatory compliance requirements.

Resource Allocation: Ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to the National Cybersecurity Council (CNC) and other cybersecurity initiatives.
Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Ensuring that cybersecurity measures do not stifle innovation or impose undue burdens on businesses.
Private Sector Participation: Encouraging private sector companies, especially small businesses, to adopt cybersecurity best practices and collaborate with government on cybersecurity initiatives.
Skilled Workforce Shortage: Addressing the demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals through education and recruitment efforts.
Cross-Border Cybersecurity Cooperation: Strengthening cooperation with international and regional partners, given the increasing sophistication of cross-border cyber threats.

Regional Cybersecurity Leadership: Position Costa Rica as a leader in Central America for cybersecurity, setting an example for neighboring countries to follow.
Secure Digital Transformation: Enable businesses and public institutions to innovate securely, driving economic growth while ensuring robust cybersecurity practices are in place.
Development of Cybersecurity Talent: Expand opportunities for local cybersecurity professionals, potentially attracting international cyber talent and creating a cybersecurity hub.
Enhanced Regional Cooperation: Strengthen ties with regional allies to address shared cybersecurity challenges, such as cybercrime, ransomware, and data protection.
Public-Private Collaboration: Foster a whole-of-nation approach to cybersecurity by improving coordination and trust between government and private entities.

Strengthen Cybersecurity Education and Training: Expand cybersecurity training programs at the national level and offer incentives for private sector investment in workforce development.
Encourage Public-Private Information Sharing: Develop frameworks to facilitate better communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors for cybersecurity threat detection and response.
Develop a National Cybersecurity R&D Strategy: Allocate funding for cybersecurity research and development, particularly in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Support Regional Cybersecurity Initiatives: Engage more actively with regional initiatives, such as those under the Central American Integration System (SICA), to promote a unified regional response to cybersecurity threats.
Improve Cybercrime Legislation: Strengthen Costa Rica’s legal framework to effectively address emerging cyber threats and improve law enforcement’s ability to track and prosecute cybercriminals.