Cisco Launches Edge Centre In University Of Nairobi

Tech giant Cisco has launched a Cybersecurity Technology Experience Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Designed in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICT Authority) and the University of Nairobi (UoN), it is aimed at building the skills and knowledge necessary to detect, prevent and respond to cyber threats.

Dubbed The Edge Centre, the one-of-a-kind initiative will bridge the existing gap between academic cybersecurity training and industry requirements, while significantly boosting the number of cybersecurity professionals in Kenya and quite possibly, beyond. It will include courses from Cisco Networking Academy, one of the world’s longest-running IT skills-to-jobs programmes. It forms part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme founded in Kenya in 2023 with the former active for over 20 years, training over 130,000 in networking, cybersecurity, programming and other digital skills.

In addition, it will serve as a space for customers and partners to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity and learn more about the organisation’s technology and solutions from artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, all to alert security teams of potential issues streamline the investigation process and improve response time to cyber threats and attacks.

Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui acknowledged that the partnership would “put technology at the centre of Kenya’s business development,” with the Edge Centre amplifying this endeavour while bringing business conversations into academia and vice versa. He noted the broader implications of technology in Kenya’s development. “Technology is at the heart of our nation’s progress, powering sectors such as agriculture, education, housing, and health,” he stated, underscoring the importance of securing the digital space, as the public’s access to digital services has dramatically increased.

Shain Rahim, Country Leader, Cisco Kenya reiterated this. “Protecting citizens against cybercrime requires collaboration. Cisco and ICTA invite government, educational institutions, private sector organisations and entities committed to Kenya’s cybersecurity infrastructure and digital transformation to engage in this landmark initiative,” he said, stressing that “We believe we can make an important and tangible difference in the industry and help accelerate the country’s digital transformation.”

A cybersecurity edge centre is situated closer to where data is generated, processed, or consumed, enabling quicker response times and more efficient protection against cyber threats. The Edge Centre employs advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and automation to detect and mitigate security risks in real time.

Francine Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy, and Purpose Officer at Cisco, noted that with AI increasing the pace of change in our work and our lives, there is need to ensure that communities are connected and have the skills to participate and respond to threats. With Cisco’s commitment to train over 3 million more learners in the continent over the next decade, digital skills will be the future of the workplace. “This partnership allows us to equip more people with the skills needed for the future and strengthen the country’s cyber defences. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and ICT on advancing the goals they’ve set in Kenya’s Development Plan.”

She further highlighted the need for improvement in women’s participation in cybersecurity, emphasising the centre’s role in fostering inclusivity within this critical field. “The Edge Center represents a significant step forward in not only addressing the skills gap, but also ensuring that women in cybersecurity have robust opportunities and resources.”

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has documented an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks in 2023. At the same time, countries around the globe, including Kenya, are facing a major skills gap. The World Economic Forum has famously declared the need for over 4 million cybersecurity professionals and according to the latest Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index, 86 per cent of organisations globally are impacted by a shortage of cybersecurity talent.

The escalation of cyber threats demands critical investment to build resiliency and strengthen defences, stated Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority. “Collaborations such as this support our efforts in building a secure digital economy. With the help of the newly inaugurated Edge Centre, we can better support organisations in training people and securing digital assets and infrastructure,” he said.

The beauty of these centres is they are highly scalable, easily adapting to increasing data volumes and traffic demands without sacrificing security effectiveness. Doubling up to enhance localised security measures tailored to specific regions or environments, they address diverse security challenges and compliance requirements. By keeping security functions closer to data sources, edge centres enhance privacy by minimising the need for transferring sensitive information to centralised systems.

Vice Chancellor Prof Stephen Kiama, the University of Nairobi, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. “It’s wonderful to see such collaboration, focusing on digital advancements central to our country’s economic development.” The university was identified for its thirst for innovation, talent, and hunger for learners – a particularly powerful combination.