East Africa Seeks Joint Approach to Combat Cyber Crimes_All Africa

COUNTRIES in the east African region are fast-tracking the implementation of joint initiatives to combat rising challenge of cross-border cyber crimes that are a threat to peace and stability in the region.

Government officials admitted the east African region is vulnerable to a range of online criminal activities including financial fraud, drug and human trafficking and terrorism.

“There is need to develop a common platform to address cyber security. As a region, we must begin to cooperate to deal with cyber threats at national and regional levels,” Kenya’s Permanent Secretary in the Information Ministry Dr. Bitange Ndemo told East African Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The east African nation has scaled up efforts to combat cyber crimes through a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, industry and civil society organizations.

“Kenya has a National cyber security steering committee hosted by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK). The law enforcement agencies and industry players are included in this initiative,” Ndemo disclosed. He regretted cyber crimes have significantly reversed gains made by higher internet penetration in Kenya. Kenya has taken a leading role in galvanizing regional efforts to fight cyber crimes.  Read More