October 5, 2017//-Liberia like other countries in West Africa has been inundated with activities of cybercriminalities who make away with unsuspected people money, personal effects and other valuables.
In addition to this, some businesses ranging from small to large lose millions of dollars to cybercriminals and other related cybersecurity issues.
For instance, a recent INTERPOL survey conducted for the joint research with Trend Micro revealed that cybercriminals steal an average US$2.7 million from businesses and an average of US$422,000 from individuals each year in Liberia and other West African countries.
In its bid to find a lasting solution to the rampaging activities of cybercrimes in Liberia, the Johnson Sirleaf-led government is working assiduously to develop a national cybersecurity strategy for the country.
Though the strategy would not be ready before the country goes to the polls in December to elect the President and House of Representatives, security analysts said starting the process of developing the national cybersecurity strategy is a step in the right direction.
The Head of Cybersecurity at Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO), Al-hassan Sheriff whose outfit recently organised the country’s maiden annual ‘National Cybersecurity Forum’ in the Liberian capital city of Monrovia, is emphatic that the strategy is the surest way of addressing cybersecurity in the country.
In his own words he said: “We need a very strong cybersecurity strategy that will help protect our country. The sooner we do this, the better it is for us”.
Mr Sheriff indicated that the government is keen in protecting the citizens from the activities of cybercriminalities hence its plans to develop the national cybersecurity strategy.
The strategy which is expected to be launched sometime next year would be comprehensive and robust to address all kinds of cybercrime activities in the country.
The strategy, according to him would also create awareness about cybersecurity and its related issues. It imperative for all to understand the basic understanding of the cyber threat, cybercrime, and cyber security. That is exactly what the education aspect of the strategy will seek to do.
The Managing Director of LIBTELCO, Darren Wilkins added: “We look forward to working with our colleagues toward the development of a national cyber security strategy in the near future.”
“The future of every entity in Liberia that uses computers and the internet hinges on its approach to cyber security”,
In this 21st century, the internet is a vital communication tool which affects almost every aspect of human life, from education to entertainment to banking, health, sports among others.
What the entire internet has brought to humanity for comfort has altered daily routines. The internet is also the world marketplace, where trillions in financial deals occur yearly. Moreover, as technology advances, especially Wi-Fi technology, the internet has become widely accessible by smaller and smaller mobile users.
Meanwhile, an Ivoirian Business Development Manager, Koffi Adjoumani, warned that the issue of cyber security should not be overlooked by any government or organisation.
Noting that it is hard to time that Africans began to prepare themselves against the threat of hackers, who are causing a substantial amount of damage across the globe. This is a threat that is invading the globe and we have to prepare ourselves for it. There is no better way to go about that than to convene such a gathering where we can put our ideas together.
African Eye Report
