The government has constituted a taskforce to re-look its cybersecurity strategy and advise on emerging technologies like the Artificial Intelligence.
- The 21-member taskforce will undertake a comprehensive review and audit of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act and identify any gaps and inconsistencies and propose specific reviews.
- It shall also support the set up and operationalization of the Cybersecurity desks at Police Posts and Police Stations and provide technical support during the setting up of the Cybersecurity Operation Centres at the national, sector and critical infrastructure operator levels.
- Between October and December last year, Kenya’s Cyber Security Center detected over 1.2 billion cyber threat events, representing a 943.01 per cent jump from the preceding period.
The government attributes the huge spike in cyber threat events to enhancement of cyber threat monitoring capabilities and the increased exploitation of “system vulnerabilities” fuelled by increased deployment and use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
In July, attackers targeting private sector and the public service unsuccessfully gained access to government services portals.
The attack on Government websites was an unsuccessful attempt to overload the systems through extraordinary requests, with intention of clogging it. Over 5,000 government services from 100 plus ministries, counties, departments and agencies available on the e-citizen platform were not accesible due to the attack.
“Looking at the top targeted industries, namely Internet Service Providers (ISPs), cloud service providers, government and the education sector, the probable impact on the economy in the event of any successful cyber-attacks would be enormous,” Edward Kisiangani, Principal Secretary Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy said.
Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration said the terms of reference of the taskforce are to develop a National Cybersecurity Policy, review the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018 and propose appropriate amendment Bill for consideration by Parliament.
The Taskforce will conduct desk research and study visits to identify opportunities and best practices to improve Kenya’s cybersecurity regulatory framework, identify and establish partnerships locally and internationally to advance the mandate of the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee as provided by the law and the Regulations.
It will also advise the Ministry of Interior and National Administration on emerging technologies on cybersecurity including Artificial Intelligence and to undertake any other activities required for the effective discharge of its mandate.
In the performance of its functions, the Taskforce shall undertake public participation and stakeholder engagements of any draft legal instruments in line with Article 10 of the Constitution.
Further, the Taskforce shall hold such number of meetings in such places and at such times as the Working Group members will consider necessary for the proper discharge of its functions
“The duration of the Taskforce shall be a period of three years with effect from the date of publication of this Notice or such longer period as the Cabinet Secretary, may by notice in the Gazette,”
Key members of the taskforce include Mark Matunga (Chairperson), Timothy Were, James Kimuyu, Jennifer Nga’ng’a, Mary Christine Wanjiku, Dorine Wanjeru, Jamal Mohamed, Simon Kimaiyio, Terah Chadenya, Janet Barulai, James Yogo, Miriam Kakenya, Vincent Ngundi, Moses Thiga, Brenda Seko, Phillip Irode, Prisca Wambui, Benson Njagi, Celestine Oluoch.
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