Ethiopia revealed its plan to establish cyber military force to prevent cyber attacks, an imminent threat which even most developed countries have also been experiencing with rise of sophisticated hackers and attackers. The country’s decision is welcomed by experts in what they described it as pre-empt and far-sighted as more institutions would move to increasingly digital system.
Labeled as threat of the time, cyber attack is already causing tremendous damage. The threat is also posing a looming risk in the information infrastructures, key financial and security services. And countries are using cyber security force to counter terrorism, breach of classified information and other groups weaponizing cyber to harm sovereignty and national interests of countries.
US election’s being the latest to be victim of cyber attackers, countries are hit by attackers with the intensity increasing over time.
Ethiopia in 2017 according to Information Network Security Agency (INSA) of Ethiopia was hit by 256 grand cyber attacks in the first six months this fiscal year (2016/17).
The scale of the threat is also requiring global alliance . It was reported by many international mainstream media that even the world’s powerful nations, the US and Russia have been in talks to form cyber security unit to repulsing attacks from the Internet.
To counter the digital era threat, Countries are also establishing and integrating cyber security force to their defense force. Lately, Ethiopia announced its plan via Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed to add cyber security domain into existing military forces.
Cyber attack is real and imminent only to intensify in the country with the expansion of digital services and hackers, says Mihret Tesfaye ,an IT expert she adds there are hackers and attackers primarily targeting telecommunication, financial institutions and security. Ethiopia’s plan to set up cyber force is a timely and right move.
Cyber security targets to deny access to unauthorized persons injecting virus and falsified information and destroying important data as well as invading private and classified info. Hackers can put national security in grave danger, as to Mihret.
Banks and other financial institutions and ministry of finance and economic cooperation are on top lists of cyber attackers. These key institutions need to be well secured and protected from possible attacks. Surprisingly and Ironically , except INSA , all states and the above mentioned institutions do not have cyber security system an and faces imminent threats, Ezedin Abdu Alem another IT specialist.
So far the threats are not coming from local attackers, but it is inevitable that local hackers may try to breach into the data system of various institutions as of time. The damages caused could appear to be lesser currently as local hackers are not many and use unsophisticated system. But their threat could higher in the future. Hence the country must prepare ahead.
“It is then a time for the country to secure its cyber system supported by well trained software engineers. If the country’s various financial companies are said to be digitized , they have to have first cyber security system.”
“The country’s plan to install cyber security force is a wise and timely decision he says stressing need for empowering learning institutions to produce trained and efficient cyber security professionals. The field is not yet open. ”
Cyber security should receive adequate fund and resources to empower the professionals and match growing cyber hackers’ skill and breaching capability. Cyber attacks can result in complete system failure, attackers can destroy steal data.
“Our team of experts are always there to detect and analyze threats. The Ethio Cyber Emergency Response Team are well trained and work 24/7 days to prevent damage.” states Abdulbaseat Ahmed Communication Director at INSA.
The threats are always there. And the team is working in collaboration with other countries to early detect threats and exchange information. The Agency would submit its report to the parliament on its overall activities shortly, Abdulbaseat says.
Herald December 14/2018
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
