Stakeholders in the communication and technology sector have ended a one day validation process of the Cyber Security Strategy and Policy at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication, yesterday Thursday 4th February 2021.
The Deputy British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone, Alistair White, applauded the leadership of the Ministry of Information for what he described as a “proactive step” in ensuring the strategy is developed. He said the document when properly implemented will address important issues geared towards the protection of individuals, organisations and government especially with the increasingly digital world.
The Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed R. Swaray, said as a government, they are continuing to increase access to internet services by creating a conducive policy environment for investment in the sector, pointing out that they are equally becoming exposed like other countries to issues relating to cyber security and cybercrime which, according to him, pose a serious threat to the country.
Swaray said “It has been noted by the police that there is an increase in traditional crimes committed with the said digital technologies or those that involve electronic evidence. The crime includes murder, burglary, larceny, and kidnapping. There is therefore the need to ensure that citizens, government and business are protected from the increasing global cyber threats and cyber-attacks.”
The Information and Communication Minister revealed, “The government’s vision on cyber security is to have an enabling environment that is secure, credible, and trustworthy for using ICTs while empowering citizens with freedom to use the internet for national socioeconomic benefits safely.”
He added: “The National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) is a five-year strategic action plan geared towards improving the country’s overall cybersecurity landscape, including increasing security and resilience of its critical infrastructure, cultivating good digital citizenry and developing appropriate legislation and regulation.”
The assistant Director of Communication, Ministry of Information and Communication, Mohamed M. Jalloh, said the objective of the process was to bring stakeholders together to share their feedbacks on the latest edition of the draft version of the NCS and to make their inputs on its implementation.
Jalloh commended the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for funding the entire process, while reiterating that the workshop is a follow-up to a series of similar events that were held between 2019 to date.
MK/5/2/2021