The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) released a report calling for coordinated action to protect civilian digital ecosystems during crises. The report, titled “Civilian Digital Ecosystems at the Core: Safeguarding During Crisis,” was launched on May 22, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It highlights rising risks such as information manipulation, impersonation of official channels, spread of AI-generated content, and cybersecurity incidents targeting digital infrastructure.
The report presents a framework to strengthen resilience, continuity, and trust of civilian digital systems. These systems are relied upon daily by millions of people for critical services. The DCO emphasizes that the protection of civilians must now extend to the digital realm, given the growing dependence on digital infrastructure.
Four Key Tracks for Action
The report identifies four tracks for collective action. First, ensuring the resilience of civilian digital infrastructure. Second, protecting and strengthening public trust. Third, sharing emerging knowledge and information. Fourth, ensuring digital services continuity and resilience.
“Crises today do not stop at physical borders. They extend into the digital systems on which civilian life depends. When those systems falter, the consequences are severe and immediate. Safeguarding civilian digital ecosystems is no longer solely a technical priority; it has become a societal and developmental imperative.”
Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO
AlYahya added that the report offers a practical framework to move from fragmented responses toward coordinated action. She stated that protecting the continuity, integrity, and trustworthiness of these systems is a shared responsibility that must be addressed before the next crisis.
Multistakeholder Approach
The DCO calls on governments, international organizations, businesses, academic institutions, digital platforms, and civil society to act on the report’s findings. The organization reaffirmed its readiness to support stakeholders through data-driven insights, policy guidance, and digital tools such as the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN).
The DCO was founded in 2020 and brings together 16 member states representing nearly $3.5 trillion in GDP and a population of over 800 million people. It focuses on accelerating an inclusive and sustainable digital economy, promoting artificial intelligence and digital inclusion across borders.
Future Outlook
The report is designed as a practical reference for immediate collective action. As digital crises become more frequent, the need for coordinated protection of civilian digital ecosystems grows. The DCO’s framework aims to ensure that civilian digital systems remain resilient, trustworthy, and operational during emergencies, safeguarding both people and the economy.
