New unit to tackle cyber crimes threat

Cabinet Secretary for ICT Fred Matiang’i (R) with Strathmore University director iLab Africa Dr. Joseph Sevilla (C) and Ericsson CSI Service Delivery Line Manager sub-sahara Africa Daniel Muhoro (L) during the official launch of the MSc. information systems security launch at the university on March 17, 2015 PHOTO | DIANA NGILA

By  LILIAN OCHIENG'

What you need to know:

  • Mr William Makatiani, managing director of security firm Serianu, said the government needs to be prepared for possible attacks as in their quest to keep up with advances in technology.
  • Last year hackers infiltrated several government sites including Defence social media account, bringing into focus the country’s preparedness in dealing with cyber threats.

Kenya is working on means of curtailing cyber crimes, even as it adopts digital platforms for service provision.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the Judiciary would have a unit to deal with such cases. “The waking nightmare for every ICT minister in the world is the threat of cyber crime; there is need to look at cyber security as critical and we need to be aggressive about it,” he said. Mr Matiang’i spoke at the launch of Strathmore University Information Security Master’s of Science programme. Last year, hackers infiltrated several State sites, bringing into focus the country’s preparedness in dealing with cyber threats.  

Mr William Makatiani, managing director of security firm Serianu, said the government needs to be prepared for possible attacks as in their quest to keep up with advances in technology.

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“An onslaught awaits the government, if it fails to match cyber-security measures with its efforts to digitise operations,” he said.

DIGITAL CRIMES UNIT

Last year hackers infiltrated several government sites including Defence social media account, bringing into focus the country’s preparedness in dealing with cyber threats.

What stood out was government’s inability to prosecute foreign offenders and ascertain their identity. 

However, the government is now harmonising its cyber security master plan in line with a proposal prepared by the judiciary to address the issues. 

Director of public prosecution Mr Keriako Tobiko said his office is working on the legislation that will be enriched by the master plan. 

Matiang'i also said that the government also planned on establishing a digital crimes unit with the Kenya police.

The new cyber security programme at Strathmore comes in handy in providing high level cyber security training targeting experienced security professionals. 

According to iLabAfrica director Mr Joseph Sevilla, Strathmore University will leverage advanced security research labs based at its @iLabAfrica Research centre and technical partnership with Safaricom, Huawei, ICT Authority, EMC, Ericsson, Oracle, CISCO Academy, Softlock and Microsoft to avail world class research resources required for the program.

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