The Kenyan government will forge strategic partnerships with the private sector to boost the resilience of cyberspace in the face of mounting threats, senior officials said Thursday.
Ezra Chiloba, the director of the Communications Authority said the state will leverage capital and expertise from industry to enhance the protection of digital infrastructure as the transition to a knowledge-based economy gathers steam.
“As the telecommunications industry in the country grows, we see cooperation with industry as key to strengthening cybersecurity,” Chiloba remarked at a forum for technology leaders and regulators held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
According to Chiloba, robust cooperation with industry will enable the government to develop new standards for boosting network security as the threat of infiltration by criminals mounts.
He stressed that protecting Kenya’s cyberspace required sustained investments, revamping of infrastructure, retraining of network administrators and public awareness.
Evans Ombati, the director of Kenya’s National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee said that the strengthening of cyberspace in the country required enhanced partnership, innovative financing and knowledge sharing.
“We consider collaboration as a major cog in the wheel that drives our cyber resilience,” said Ombati, adding that the government has fast-tracked policy harmonization to guide the cybersecurity agenda.
Immaculate Kassait, the Data commissioner said that industry had been roped in as the government develops new regulations on protecting critical information like population census and voters register.
Kassait said that following the approval of Data Protection Regulations by parliament and cabinet, the country was better placed to safeguard personal information of all citizens.
She added that enhanced data protection was key to spurring innovation and enterprise in the country, as it gears up to become a regional knowledge-based economy powerhouse.
