By JAMES GASHUMBA, EANA
East Africa is fast-tracking the
implementation of joint initiatives to combat the rising challenge of
cyber crimes that threaten peace and stability in the region.
Dr Bitange Ndemo. Photo/Nation
Government officials say the
region is vulnerable to a range of online criminal activities, including
financial fraud, drugs 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 atNational and
regional levels,” Kenya’s Permanent Secretary in the Information
Ministry Dr Bitange Ndemo said at an East African Internet Governance
Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenya 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), law enforcement agencies and industry players
are part of this initiative,” Ndemo said.
He regretted cyber crimes have
significantly reversed gains made by higher internet penetration in
Kenya. The country has taken a lead role in galvanising regional efforts
to fight cyber crimes. According to Ndemo, a cyber security management
task force chaired by Kenya has been coordinating activities aimed at
curbing cyber crimes in the five East African Community member states.
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