TANZANIA PLANS TO RISE SHIELD AGAINST CYBERCRIMES

The Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Prof Faustin Kamuzora, said yesterday in Dar es Salaam that developed countries through ITU have contributed the funds to help support nations and institutions that stand a better chance to fight the threat.

He said cyber crime costs various countries and companies US dollar 400 billions per annum.

“However, despite the threat from the cyber crime it’s estimated that about 650 dollars will be invested by the companies and nations to control the attacks. This is an opportunity to countries with specialised skills and technologies,” he said.

Prof Kamuzora made the revelation when closing the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) workshop for formulation of the National Cyber Security Strategy.

“The resources focus at supporting countries advanced in fighting the cybercrime threats currently worrying the world by providing cybercrime control facilities among other support,” he said, adding that Tanzania stands a better chance to benefit.

He told the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ in an interview that the government has embarked on demanding strategies set to ensure the country is highly developed to control the threats where it would definitely benefit from the ITU resources.

“One of the strategies is to ensure we (Tanzania) equip advanced experts to oversee and manage cyber security in the country,” he said, adding that discussions were underway to use National Fund for Advancement of Science and Technology (NFAST) under COSTEC to enhance the capability of Tanzania in addressing the cyber security challenges.

-------------------------

QUOTE: "We should always keep in mind that we are public servants and we need to discharge our duties accordingly. The police forces work in public domain and they are always under constant public scrutiny" -  Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister (India)

--------------------------

“It is critical that we build our nation’s stock of cyber security skills, which are the actual ingredients to the National cyber security strategy,” he said. Prof Kamuzora said that Tanzania is currently in the process of formulating national cyber security strategy that envisions an organised and strategic approach in safeguarding the cyberspace.

He said the working groups under the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) have produced the first draft of Tanzania National Security Strategy and thus awaits the next move.

The envisaged national cyber security strategy will, among other things, prepare Tanzanians on how to participate in the digital economy by specializing in such skills so as to benefit from the cyber security sub-industry.

“The next step will be fine-tuning of the draft national cyber security strategy and at a later stage to present it to the stakeholders’ consultation meeting,” he said.

Last year, Tanzania passed a legislation (Cybercrime Act 2015) providing for offences related to computer systems and Information Communication Technologies.

The Act criminalises and penalises a number of cyber activities including data espionage, publication of child pornography, publication of pornography, publication of false information and publication of materials that incite, deny, minimise or justify acts that constitute genocide or crimes against humanity.

Despite penalties - imprisonment and paying fines, the law also gives courts powers to order forfeiture of any property used in the commission of the crime or any property constituting traceable proceeds of such offences.

This is a very good initiative for the Country as the cybercrime keep rising and trouble the economy of many contries across the world - I wrote details on this to the article that can be READ HERE.

The starting point should be - Having the right skill set to the right place, Awareness and extending efforts on Capacity Building. The Video below explains well the need for RIGHT SKILL SET a statement made by H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, The President of Kenya - This should also be applied on the field of Cybersecurity for us to meet targets.