In today’s digital world, cyber-attack remains a serious global concern. It becomes a serious threat for development and security of states. Cyber security becomes a top national security issue for countries of the world, both developed and developing. Experts in security sector are incorporating cyber security as additional pillar of territorial sovereignty of a sovereign state, in addition to the three traditional contexts of land territory, territorial sea and air space. Due to the growing role of technology in each critical sector including the military and key government and private institutions, cyber security becomes as one pillar in national security of states.
Countries are experiencing unexpected and surprised cyber-attacks that have critical damages on socio-economic and political development of the states. As a result, countries are striving to develop cyber resilient capacity so as to identify cyber threats and to combat cyber-attacks before facing damages. In this regard, in addition to strengthening the capacity of national cyber institutions, so as to properly administer the people, process and technology, the three pillars of cyber security, countries are focusing on developing awareness for the general public.
Ethiopia is not an exception in facing the challenges of cyber security. Considering the growing threats of cyber-attacks, in addition to strengthening the capacity of Information Network Security Administration (INSA) and adapting latest policies and strategies, Ethiopia gives due focus on human resource development and awareness creation for the public about cyber security. As part of the national awareness creation efforts, since 2019 Ethiopia started a month-wide national campaign by naming October as Cyber Security Month. Since its inception, the Cyber Security Month serves as a vital platform for raising awareness about cyber security and the nation’s digital transformation.
The Cyber Security Month campaign targets raising awareness among institutions and citizens about the increasing cyber security threats, bolstering cyber sovereignty through effective national coordination. The campaign aims developing digital literacy and the threats in using digital infrastructures. This year’s month-long campaign is underway themed “Critical Infrastructure Security for Digital Sovereignty,” is ongoing organizing different awareness creation events and programs in Addis Ababa and beyond organized by Information network Security Administration (INSA).
As part of the awareness creation on cyber security, INSA organized a discussion on Ethiopia’s amended Cyber Security Policy a week ago here in Addis Ababa. While opening the discussion, INSA Director General, Tigist Hamid said that in the current world cyber security becomes a key national security issue for sovereign states as equal as securing land territory, territorial sea and air space territory. As to her, unless countries have established strong and resilient cyber security, keeping only the security of tradition territorial security of nations does not make the states fully secure and safe.
Considering the critical role of cyber security on national security, cyber security is included in Ethiopia’s National Security Policy. Similarly, Tigist said, INSA has amended the country’s previous Information Security Policy by National Cyber Security Policy, approved on May 2024. As to Tigist, the previous policy, the National Information Security Policy, implemented since 2012 has served the country for nearly 13 years, but it has limitations since the policy was applied during the early years where the technology was started implementing in Ethiopia. As a result, it did not assess and identified the current cyber security trends and threats.
Considering the rapid development of the technology and its exposure to the emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IOT), INSA has amended the previous policy with a vibrant policy that assesses the current challenges and technological developments of the sector so as to protect Ethiopia’s digital sovereignty and key digital infrastructures.
According to the Director General, in the cyber security field the emerging technologies such as AI, IOT and other technologies are coming both with blessings and threats. As a result, states cyber security policies, strategies and activities should go parallel to the technological developments so as to build safe and secure digital infrastructure. Hence, Ethiopia’s new Cyber Security Policy, according to Tigist, assesses the current technological developments and potential threats.
During a media briefing with regard to the 5th Cyber Security Month, INSA Director General noted that cyber threats are rising from time to time, underling Ethiopia’s continued efforts to build resilient cyber space so as to protect the nation’s digital infrastructure from attacks. As to Tigist, Ethiopia has intensified the efforts of combating the growing threat of cyber-attacks, mentioned Ethiopia’s successful thwarting of some 8,854 attempted breaches during the 2023/24 budget year. Compared to the 2022/23 fiscal year attempted cyber-attacks, registered around 6,959, the attempted shows significant development the next year.
Tigist stated that data theft has become a daily concern in the digital era adding INSA’s efforts in developing its capacity in addressing the rising number of cyber threats in Ethiopia. The efforts and initiatives being undertaken by INSA, according to the Director General, aims strengthening nation’s cyber security and protect the nation’s digital sovereignty. INSA Director General underlined that cyber-attacks are mounting targeting critical institutions and infrastructures such as hospitals, financial sectors and other critical national institutions. Despite INSA’s efforts in combating these threats and continued to strengthen its capacity to defend the nation’s cyber sector, Tigist underscores the importance of raising awareness for the general public and enhancing human resource development.
“Cyber Security cannot be ensured by a single institution,” Tigist stated calling the joint efforts of all stakeholders to work hand-in-hand to protect critical digital infrastructures and institutions from cyber-attacks. Tigist noted that National Cyber Security Month, a month-wide national campaign to develop awareness on cyber security, is part of INSA’s broader strategy to educate the general public about cyber security and strengthen the agency’s capacity to prevent cyber-attacks. In addition, INSA uses the month to strengthen the relations with key stakeholders such as financial institutions, hospitals, media, and government agencies.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 5th Cyber Security Month at the Science Museum, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Mamo Mihretu for his part said that cyber security has a significant impact on digital infrastructure. Especially with the growing role of digital sector in economic development and other critical sectors, strengthening cyber security of a country is an urgent task for states, he added. Ethiopia is working towards achieving Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy; the governor stated emphasized the critical role of strengthening cyber security to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure and key sectors from cyber-attacks.
According to Mamo to build a resilient and secure cyber security, it is crucial to focus on strengthening skilled human resource development, implementing innovative mechanisms and introducing advanced technologies in the sector. “Cyber security is critical for advancing the digital sector and is deeply integrated with the protection of infrastructure, including telecommunications, energy, finance, transportation, and healthcare,” the governor reiterated.
Considering the rising threats of cyber-attacks in mind and the development of digitalization, which is prone to cyber-crimes, citizens and institutions should give due focus to protect their digital resources by developing awareness about the cyber security and strictly following the instructions provided by INSA related institutions.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2024
