BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
ADDIS ABABA – Information Network Security Administration (INSA) disclosed that Cyber-attack attempts on Ethiopia, particularly mega projects, are on the rise, and added that it foiled most of the attempts.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), INSA Deputy Director-General Solomon Soka stated that in the past Ethiopian fiscal year, During Ethiopia’s 2014 budget year, the attempted cyber-attacks reached 8,845 and key mega projects of the country, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), were targeted. He added that 97 percent of the attempts have been thwarted.
As to him, the attempted cyber-attacks in 2014 E.C. were tripled in number compared to that of 2013 E.C, which were 2,897 attempts. He further reported that about 3,954 of the most widely attempted cyber-attacks during the past Ethiopian fiscal year were spying on mega projects, covering 44.7 percent of the total. And, there have also been cyber-attack attempts against 1,800 websites.
In general, the cyber-attack attempts comprise all bodies and targeted tech users, he indicated. He further explained that the attempts targeted the country’s key mega projects and network-connected infrastructures, particularly Ethio-Telecom, GERD, and power generating and transmission lines. Ethiopian Airlines was also the main target, he added.
Additionally, it was confirmed that financial institutions, media, government political structures, public universities, health centers, and private organizations, according to Solomon. He also stated that extensive work is being done by the INSA to maintain the confidentiality, credibility, and accessibility of information and communication infrastructures.
The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2022
