Kenya, ITU sign agreement on cyber security
SECURITY
By BiztechAfrica - Feb. 21, 2012, 8:10 a.m.
Kenya has entered into an agreement with a United Nations Agency on the implementation of a national focal point for coordinating responses to cyber-security incidents in the country.
CCK Director General, Francis Wangusi and ITU Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, signed an Administrative Agreement for the implementation of Kenya National Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (KE-CIRT/CC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the agreeement, CCK will fund about 70% of the total project cost and will work closely with the ITU in implementing the Project. The ITU will fund about 30% of the total cost.
The ITU will provide staff resources for the coordination and management of the project and will be responsible for the overall management of the project implementation, supervision, monitoring, coordination, evaluation and hand-over to the Commission. The KE-CIRT/CC project will take approximately six months to implement.
The KE-CIRT/CC will be the national trusted focal point for advising and coordinating responses to cybersecurity incidents in Kenya. Other functions will include liaising with the local sector Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs), gathering and disseminating technical information on computer security incidents, carrying out research and analysis on computer security, facilitating the development of Public Key Infrastructure and capacity building in information security.
Wangusi underscored the importance of a safe online environment in Kenya. He added that the move was in line with the CCK's mandate of putting in place an enabling online environment for individual internet users, the government organisations and private businesses.
ITU Secretary General Dr. Hamadoun Toure lauded Kenya for its high ICT penetration and for taking the lead to ensure confidence in online transactions through chairing the EACO Cybersecurity Task force and now in partnering with the ITU to implement a sound national cybersecurity management framework in Kenya.
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Kiprono Ngetich - March 26, 2012, 8 a.m.
The idea of partnership on cyber security came at the right moment, ITU should also consider training the ICT officer working with the government on the same.