Appalling data mismanagement pervasive in private, public and institutions is creating a hotbed for cyber-attack making the country vulnerable to hackers, so remarked scholars.
Mulatu Biru, Ph.D holder in global health,he is the director of knowledge Management Directorate and researcher at AHRI, MOH Research Agency. He said that in principle management of data such as health data, development data, and programmatic data, among others , should be processed further to acquire relevant knowledge and wisdom so as to act based on the informed evidence.
Adding he noted that to the required end one needs to apply data management including digitization and codification which is supported by information, communication technology (ICT) with well- established and secured data archive and repository system.
In this regard, the country is far behind when it comes from these applications even though there are recent initiatives.
Mentioning the hurdles attributable to not modernizing the data management system here in the country, he pointed out several challenges.
Ethiopia lacks a strong policy helpful in data managing, accessing and sharing. The traditional way of data management system, inclination towards manual record and paper based documentation, limitations regarding the culture of data use for informed decision as well as the problems regarding good governance and leadership to enhance the culture of data use, and lack of competent and committed experts, are the formidable instances in data management handling.
Pertaining to handling data management system as compared to other Africa and western countries, he remarked that in most of the African countries, relatively speaking there were the same practices. However countries like South Africa and Kenya, among other African countries, have started to practice advanced and digitized data management.
The middle income countries like Bangladesh and India have also better practice in this regard. However, almost all the western countries have already made their data management system to be digitized, codified with well secured system
Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have expressed willingness to continue trying to amicably resolve conflicts over plans for a gigantic Ethiopian-run hydroelectricity dam along the Nile River.
This reiteration of commitment was expressed on Wednesday, when US-led discussion was held among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan in Washington DC. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and World Bank President David Malpass were the facilitators.
The three nations issued a statement indicating that they would continue negotiations to be held in Washington on December 9 and January 13.They plan to find a resolution by January 15 of next year.
The ministers of foreign affairs from the three countries confirmed their joint commitment to reach an inclusive, cooperative, adaptive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and established.
About the repercussions that have been surfacing following the failure of the government in handling the data management system with well-established and well-founded manners, he stated that the government has failed to improve both programmatic and development aspects of the country due to lack of data-based-informed decision.
Which means the country will continue with traditional decisions, without being evidence informed upon high quality and processed data.
“Data management should be an agenda of survival and welfare of the country. There is a need to have multi-sectorial collaboration approach to realize the practice of advanced data management agenda in the nation. Without appropriate data management and its use, we are walking in the dark. This way we may risk a lapse from a precipice. We have to be forthcoming in adaption. We have to customize and contextualize the practice of advanced data management to accelerate the country’s development,” he added.
A scientist of software engineering and data management, Dr. Mesfin Kefile on his part remarked that as long as information is power, managing data is significant for keeping peace and security of one’s country. But data mismanagement have swung door for cyber-attack and invited hackers on national information nets as the private, public and institutions’ information and data have been easily accessed digitally by the third parties.
“Social media are one of the most online platform and tubes of information links and file recorders of private, public and institutional data. As a result of this, the digitalized data and information are easily hunted by hackers and third parties,” he pointed out.
He further stated that lack of awareness, skilled man-power gaps, less attention of data handling by managerial staff members, and non-existence of risk management tools are some of the main loopholes in data management arsenal and lead to a threat for cyber-attack.
Cyber-attack has been posing a threat in this country due to problems in social, technical and institutional aspects. Deepening the awareness of the country in this field of study is paramount to secure the national data and information.
“The government and the society at large must express their readiness in data recording, assorting, monitoring, handling and following so as to maintain peace, tranquility and stability. They should know its worth for national sovereignty,” he mentioned.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 10 November 2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
