BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
In this age of cyberbullying, it is becoming important to understand and protect the nature of cyber and cyber security, the characteristics of the sector, its pros and cons, the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) Director General Dr. Shumete Gizaw stressed recently.
He noted that because of the enormous impact of cyberbullying, it has become a major economic, political, and social competition for both the superpowers and the developing world. “The universality of cyberspace is a threat to the sovereignty of nations and the well-being of its people.”
As a result, it is becoming more and more common for sovereign nations to be manipulated by cybercriminals, to exploit the resources, knowledge and technology of institutions and individuals, and for some to lose their wealth and secrets.
The cyber space is a springboard that will “help us to lift our people out of poverty”. It offers many growth opportunities.
On the other hand, the dynamics, complexity, and boundaries of cyberspace need to be balanced and shared in terms of utilization and resilience to ensure survival and competitiveness in the cyberspace.
Many international organizations have their own cyberattack protection mechanisms. Presently, according to reports, one of the five major threats facing the world is cyber-attacks. According to the World Economic Forum, the world will lose USD 6 trillion by 2025 for the cause of cyber-attack.
In a related development, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a report that the net loss of more than USD 600 billion in 2016 was more than USD1 trillion by 2020, and that if the problem persists; has warned that their annual could rise by as much as 50 percent.
In Ethiopia, the vulnerability and attempts of cyber-attacks are on the rise. Significant increase in the number of cyberattacks in the country due to the global cholera epidemic; The first and second rounds of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are the main reasons for the 2013 national elections and the ongoing law enforcement and survival campaign in the northern part of the country.
This shows that cyber-attacks against our country’s key infrastructure and institutions are on the rise year after year, and if we do not make the necessary arrangements and find a lasting solution, it will have a serious negative impact on peace, development and democracy in our country, enumerated out the Director.
As part of its solutions, he (Dr. Shumete) mentioned that cyber security is a shared responsibility. It is also important to note that cyber security plays an important role in the security sector in the country as a whole.
As the experience of using the technology institutions and the growing needs of the society, we need to prevent potential cyber attacks and the level of awareness of cybersecurity should be scaled up in the country.
This is because the studies in Ethiopia show that the limited of efforts by most institutions in the country to protect their technology from potential hazards can make the damage worse.
Although there are many reasons for this risk, research shows that the most common cause is a lack of awareness of cyber security in institutions and in society at large.
For these and other related reasons, the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) has been carrying out awareness raising and cyber security awareness programs in the past, recognizing that it is important to increase the cyber security capabilities of the institutions and the general public. These include cyber security awareness development activities and key cyber security programs.
However, raising public awareness of cyber security and cyber security managment is not something that can be done by just one institution, public and private institutions, the media, intellectuals, educational and research institutions; and all other stakeholders are expected to contribute to make the cyber technology secure and better.
Finally, the INSA has mentioned that the National Cyber Security Month, which was celebrated recently, not only raise awareness of the cyber security of citizens and institutions, but also serve as a starting point for all of Ethiopians to do their part to build national cyber security capacity at better way.
The Ethiopian Herald October 29/2021
