July 9^th 2018                           By Cheruiyot Korir

African countries have emphasized the need to have a regional cyber defense Institute to develop strategies and build capacities to anticipate, prepare and detect possible cyber attacks.

Over 1000 delegates drawn from the continent meeting in Nairobi for the three-day Africa Cyber Defence Summit concurred that resources need to be deployed towards building skilled human capital and innovative strategies to stop cyber security threats before they occur.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Mr. Jerome Ochieng reiterated that Africa needed a unified front in fighting cyber security challenges.

Mr. Jerome said Africa must come together to identify legal gaps and work on harmonizing continental laws to effectively respond to local and cross border cyber security threats.

He pointed out that Kenya has already enacted the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act to deal with incidences of cybercrimes.

The Mauritius Minister for Technology, Communication, and Information, Mr. Yogiga Sawmynaden said Africa is young in the cyber space and need to work together and engage on solutions for cyber security.

Mr. Sawmynaden said it was important that African countries share information on cyber security and collaborate to identify common challenges thus develop a comprehensive strategy to counter the same. He emphasized the need to invest in the youth and encourage them to come up with innovative solutions to deal effectively to cyber security threats.

He further pointed out that there was a  gender gap in cyber security that he observed needed be addressed for optimal synergy in the war against cyber criminals.