In a bid to curb the unending cybersecurity threats that abound all over the African continent, Kenya is set to host the first African Cyber Defense Summit in July this year. The main objective is to develop strategies to respond to these cybersecurity threats.
Kenya’s Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru made it known that the continental Summit would be critical in tackling the challenge of securing Africa from breaches and attacks against valuable ICTs.
The Summit will convene governments and global ICT industry players, who would brainstorm extensively and share ideas that would address the menace. The government is organising the summit with support from the International Telecommunication Union and the African Union in partnership with NASEBA, Africa Cyberspace Network.
It is understood that Kenya is one of the most connected countries in Africa with 78% broadband connectivity. This, therefore, means it is vulnerable to increasing the number of information security threats from around the world.
ICT Secretary Dr Kate Getao said there are discussions on the need to establish Pan African Cybersecurity Research Institute in Kenya to build high-level skill and knowledge institutional capacity and innovation for enhanced cybersecurity across Africa. Dr Getao said the proposed Institute would also provide a repository and real-time data.
She said Africa needs a cyber research institute because the continent has invested massively in ICT. She added that the need for an Institute prompted by a shortage of high-level skill human resource, the vulnerability of the supply chain and internal and external threats cyberspace to breaches. She said investing in cybersecurity and policy and legislative frameworks encourage investors to invest in the continent.
Ms Violet Mulwa, an ICT officer said a draft on information security policy developed is to protect public and private ICT assets.
The Africa Cyber Defense Summit is scheduled for July 9th to10th 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.
