Policy Analysis: Panama’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (2019)

Title: Panama’s National Cybersecurity Strategy
Issuing Authority: Government of Panama, National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG)
Release Date: 2019
Scope: National policy with a focus on government agencies, critical infrastructure, the private sector, and international cooperation.
Focus: Strengthening cybersecurity resilience, protecting critical infrastructure, improving governance, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, and promoting international partnerships.

Enhance National Cybersecurity Resilience: Strengthen Panama’s ability to protect against cyber threats that could impact national security and economic stability.
Secure Critical Infrastructure: Focus on the protection of key sectors, including finance, telecommunications, energy, and transportation.
Promote Cybersecurity Awareness and Education: Increase public and private sector awareness and promote cybersecurity training and education programs.
Strengthen Government Cybersecurity: Improve cybersecurity measures across government entities to ensure the safety and security of public sector digital assets.
Develop Cybersecurity Capacity: Build a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce and increase research and development in emerging technologies related to cybersecurity.
Foster International Collaboration: Build strategic international partnerships and participate in global cybersecurity frameworks for information sharing and collaboration on cyber threats.

Pillar	Focus Areas	Key Actions
1. Strengthen National Cybersecurity Resilience	National governance, risk management	Establish national cybersecurity frameworks, implement risk management models for both public and private sectors.
2. Secure Critical Infrastructure	Protection of sectors	Develop cybersecurity frameworks and protocols for critical infrastructure such as finance, telecommunications, and energy.
3. Promote Cybersecurity Awareness and Education	Public-private partnerships, training programs	Launch national cybersecurity education campaigns, develop cybersecurity certification programs.
4. Strengthen Government Cybersecurity	Cybersecurity governance, incident response	Improve cybersecurity practices in government, create a national cybersecurity incident response capability.
5. Build Cybersecurity Capacity	Workforce development, R&D	Support local cybersecurity education, encourage the establishment of cybersecurity research centers, and build a skilled cybersecurity workforce.
6. Foster International Collaboration	Regional and global partnerships	Engage in international agreements for cybersecurity cooperation, strengthen ties with regional organizations like SICA and CARICOM.

Cybersecurity Governance: Creation of a national cybersecurity body to oversee and coordinate cybersecurity efforts across both the public and private sectors.
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Implementation of laws requiring critical infrastructure sectors to adhere to cybersecurity standards and practices.
Cybercrime Legislation: Strengthening existing laws and frameworks to address cybercrime more effectively and enable the prosecution of cybercriminals.
Data Protection and Privacy: Alignment with Panama’s Data Protection Law to ensure that cybersecurity measures comply with national data privacy regulations.
Public-Private Cooperation: Strengthening public-private partnerships to foster greater information sharing on cyber threats, as well as the joint development of cybersecurity strategies.

Stakeholder	Impact
Government	Enhanced cybersecurity governance, incident response, and national cybersecurity coordination.
Private Sector	Increased regulatory burden, but also improved threat mitigation practices through collaboration with the government.
Individuals	Better understanding of cybersecurity risks and safer online practices through public awareness programs.
International Partners	Stronger cooperation and shared cybersecurity intelligence with global partners.
Critical Infrastructure Operators	Enhanced protection of key sectors, compliance with new cybersecurity standards and regulations.

Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Ensuring cybersecurity measures do not create barriers to digital innovation in the private sector.
Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging private businesses to actively participate in cybersecurity initiatives and comply with new regulations.
Workforce Development: Addressing the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and ensuring Panama has the necessary talent to defend against evolving cyber threats.
Government Coordination: Ensuring effective coordination across various government agencies and local authorities to implement cybersecurity policies and responses.
International Collaboration: Strengthening Panama’s international cybersecurity relationships, particularly with neighboring countries and regional organizations, to address shared threats.

Regional Leadership in Cybersecurity: Position Panama as a leader in cybersecurity within Central America and the Caribbean, enhancing its role in global cybersecurity initiatives.
Secure Digital Transformation: Encourage the growth of Panama’s digital economy by ensuring that cybersecurity is an integral part of digital business strategies.
Cybersecurity Workforce Development: Invest in local cybersecurity talent development programs, potentially becoming a hub for regional cybersecurity training and certification.
Enhanced Public-Private Collaboration: Create opportunities for public-private collaboration, fostering a more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem.
Regional Cybersecurity Cooperation: Strengthen regional partnerships and foster better communication and intelligence sharing among Central American and Caribbean nations.

Strengthen National Cybersecurity Education: Invest in comprehensive education programs aimed at building a cybersecurity-savvy workforce and raising awareness among the general public.
Create a Cybersecurity Research Hub: Support the creation of a national or regional cybersecurity research and development center focused on emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing.
Incentivize Private Sector Participation: Provide incentives for private companies to adopt cybersecurity best practices, share threat intelligence, and collaborate with government on national defense strategies.
Facilitate Cross-Border Cooperation: Foster better regional cooperation in cybersecurity initiatives through organizations like SICA and CARICOM, ensuring a united approach to cyber threats in Central America.
Update Legal Frameworks for Cybercrime: Strengthen the legal infrastructure to support the prosecution of cybercrime and enable efficient cross-border law enforcement collaboration.

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