Press Release
Common Good Cyber Initiative Receives Funding from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
London, UK – 20 August 2024 – The Global Cyber Alliance is pleased to announce the receipt of a £300,000 grant from the UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to bolster Common Good Cyber.
This initiative represents a unique collaboration among governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society to sustain a resilient, free, open, and secure Internet.
Context and Need for the Project
As the UK and other global economies become increasingly dependent on the Internet, any disruption can severely undermine societal functions.
Many people associate the Internet with major for-profit companies like Apple, Google, or Microsoft. However, the Internet’s functionality also relies heavily on technical standards, open-source tools, and other unseen efforts done by nonprofits and groups of mission-driven volunteers around the world.
These organizations, which operate with limited resources, are playing an essential role in maintaining a secure and resilient Internet, and their tools, services, and platforms can be critical for businesses, grassroots initiatives, and governments, which rely on the Internet’s continuous availability and security.
Significant cyber incidents are already occurring and increasing in frequency, disrupting humanitarian efforts and impacting key initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent examples, such as major power outages, illustrate how dependent our lives have become on Internet availability. Without a systemic shift to recognize, fund, and enhance the effectiveness of these nonprofits, we risk a catastrophic cybersecurity incident that could disrupt global economic, political, and social activities.
Project Summary
The Common Good Cyber initiative aims to galvanize collective action and support for cybersecurity nonprofits to ensure a resilient, free, open, and secure Internet. The initiative will:
- Convene Key Stakeholders: Develop and implement the project according to a given timeline to address the systemic underfunding of cybersecurity nonprofits.
- Streamline and Support Internet Infrastructure: Implement a comprehensive communications plan and advocacy campaign to raise awareness about the effectiveness and resource constraints of cybersecurity nonprofits.
Through these efforts, the Common Good Cyber Initiative will empower cybersecurity nonprofits to drive tangible improvements in global cybersecurity, ensuring a resilient, free, open, and secure Internet that meets the common need for robust cybersecurity.
“We are delighted and grateful to receive this support from the FCDO. This funding will serve as a foundational contribution to build momentum and enable enduring investment in digital security. Common Good Cyber hopes to irrevocably improve the stability and security of the Internet for everyone.”
Komal Bazaz Smith, Chief Business Officer at the Global Cyber Alliance
Inquiries
For general information:
Kayle Giroud
Director, Common Good Initiatives
Global Cyber Alliance
[email protected]
Media contacts:
Marina Calvo Leyva ([email protected])
Megan Kruse ([email protected])
About Common Good Cyber
Common Good Cyber is an initiative to drive collective and sustained action to support the nonprofits that deliver cybersecurity tools, services, and platforms that work at scale. Safeguarding the Internet is a shared responsibility that transcends geographical and sectoral boundaries. Common Good Cyber is working to unite the online community and those who depend on the Internet to work together to ensure its availability and security for everyone, forever. Common Good Cyber, represented by the Global Cyber Alliance and the CyberPeace Institute (CPI), will be featured next 30 September at “Beyond 125 Years – Securing our Digital Future”, a joint event with the City of The Hague to transform cybersecurity funding for Global Peace and Justice.
About FCDO
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues the UK’s national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. FCDO promotes the interests of British citizens, safeguards the UK’s security, defends the UK’s values, reduces poverty, and tackles global challenges with international partners.
