BY PRUDENCE WANZA – Communications Authority of Kenya has officially opened the National Cybersecurity Conference in Nairobi.
The conference which is geared towards enhancing the country’s cybersecurity is set to continue until 25th October where various stakeholders will be deliberating on how to curb cybercrime as a matter of national security affecting both the public and private sector.
ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng officially opened the conference on behalf of Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
The PS lauded the Communications Authority for convening the event adding that cybersecurity conversations is not only a matter of great concern but also a national priority in the current digital era.
Ochieng added that sophisticated cyber actors are increasingly carrying out criminal activities while continuously developing their capabilities to disrupt, destroy, and threaten the delivery of essential services.
He also urged stakeholders to examine the extent to which they are preserving peace and security in ensuring safer cyberspace.
“Securing cyberspace Is not the responsibility of one entity. It requires the collaboration of both private and public sector so that even as new threats emerge, we as a country can have the appropriate strategies to respond to the new realities in order to reduce the vulnerabilities.”
However, there is hope that when the data protection is enacted into law, it will help ensure consumer data is safeguarded against misuse thus enhancing consumer confidence and trust in the use of ICT.
Acting Communications Authority Director Governor Mercy Wanjau said that CA is alive to growing mechanisms to fight cybercrime activities through communicating and collaborating with various stakeholders.
This year cyber-attacks in Kenya stood at 52 million from 26 million attacks recorded last year.
The Authority’s Chairman, Ngene Mutuku, said that ICT is s key enabler in the realization of the big four agenda and therefore a secure cyber environment will be essential for efficient service delivery.
He also outlined various challenges facing Kenya’s fight against cybercrime activities.
“Kenya’s cybersecurity readiness and resilience face challenges such as the inadequate human resource capacity, creation of sector-specific computer incident response teams, as well as low detection of cyber threats and lack of analysis and investigation capabilities,” said the Board chairman.
Various stakeholders in the conference held at Safari Park hotel will continue to deliberate on various matters concerning cybersecurity in the next two days.
