WTISD-26 Theme
Digital lifelines – Strengthening resilience in a connected world
Why digital resilience matters
Resilient digital infrastructure is the foundation of a connected, and inclusive world. Digital resilience underpins universal meaningful connectivity – the ability for everyone to access and use the Internet safely, affordably, and effectively.
Resilience needs to be designed and included in every element of connectivity: submarine cables linking continents, terrestrial networks carrying data across cities, satellites supporting communication and navigation, and data centers powering digital services. When any part of this chain fails, essential systems, from finance and healthcare to transport and disaster response, are at risk.
Today, many networks remain vulnerable in the face of growing threats, such as extreme weather events and mega earthquakes.
Resilience ensures that digital systems are designed to withstand, adapt, and recover from disruption, protecting both lives and livelihoods.
Resilience by design, during crisis, and through recovery
Achieving digital resilience requires coordinated effort at every stage of the system lifecycle:
By design:
Integrating redundancy, interoperability, cybersecurity, and sustainability into networks and standards.
During an incident:
Ensuring continuity through rapid detection, rerouting, and coordinated emergency communication.
Through recovery:
Restoring systems quickly, analysing failures, and strengthening defences for the future.
What if the digital systems you count on were resilient by design?
Explore how the world’s essential connections stay strong—from clear navigation signals and lifesaving alerts to resilient undersea data routes—and the role ITU plays behind the scenes to make it happen.
This WTISD What if…? series reveals the often‑hidden systems that keep people safe, informed, and connected, and highlights the global cooperation that makes these digital lifelines possible.
Join the advocacy for resilient digital infrastructure
Share your accomplishments, national visions and strategies, commitments and initiatives on your social media accounts using the hashtags #DigitalLifelines and #WTISD. Access materials such as posters, backgrounds, and social media cards here.
Organize events on digital lifelines, such as local community roundtables and exhibitions bringing the vital importance of resilient digital lifelines and your work to professional and public diplomacy audiences whose lives run on them. Submit your event here.
Become a partner by providing financial or in-kind support. Check out opportunities here.