East Africa Cloud and Security Summit kicks off on a high in Kigali, Rwanda

The East Africa Cloud and Cyber Security Summit started today in Kigali, Rwanda, with call for a more coordinated approach to effectively manage modern day challenges for information security in both public and private sector enterprises.

While presiding the official opening of the regional summit themed: Safe and Secure Online Services, Ms Paula Ingabire, Rwanda ICT and Innovation Minister underscored the essence of improving the security posture and resource efficiency in both public and private sector.

“Technology and the Internet have fundamentally changed the way we live and interact, bringing about a digital revolution that offers immense opportunities for social-economic growth and development,” said the minister.

The event organised by Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) in partnership with CIO East Africa brought together both the public sector and private sector industry players in top level discussion around cyber security and cloud computing, the impact they are having in government and other verticals including financial services, healthcare, education, manufacturing and more.

The Cloud and Cyber Security summit agenda purposed to highlight some of the most innovative advancements in cloud computing and the security implications that come with its adoption.

Day one saw sessions packed with real life case studies and expert panel discussions and dedicated tracks on Cloud Computing and Enterprise Cybersecurity spiced with deep policy, regulation and compliance discussions.

“We live in an increasingly interconnected world where technology has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, and where the promise of the “Internet of Things” (IoT) has begun to manifest itself in more and more of our data enabled devices”, said Innocent Muhizi, CEO, RISA.

According to Mr Muhizi, the cyber security week awareness initiative is designed to engage and educate the general public on the importance of cyber-security.

This is done through partnership with both private and public sector partners through events and exercise to raise awareness about cyber security. To realize the full potential of digital business, security and risk management practitioners must deliver a program that establishes the enterprise, with its systems and employees, as a trusted participant in the digital economy.

“Partnering with CIO East Africa adds synergy to RISA’s focus of regional networking and providing the industry stakeholders with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resilience of Rwanda in the event of a cyber incident”, said Muhizi.

“The East Africa Cloud and Security Summit will offer an immersive platform where the sector IT leaders from both the supply and demand side shall meet and interact through a unique blend of focused Executive Visions panel discussions, Analyst sessions, visionary Keynote presentations and networking breaks”, said Laura Chite, CEO, CIO East Africa.

“CIO East Africa is delighted to partner with RISA to host the forthcoming East Africa Cloud and Security Summit considering that today’s security and risk practitioners face unprecedented challenges in dealing with the volume and velocity of digital business interactions”, Ms Chite continued.

“Together, as we peer into the future, we always remain grateful to the Government of Rwanda for endorsing the inception of the East Africa Cloud and Security Summit. Through RISA, the government seized the opportunity to host this timely and important summit in Kigali, Rwanda,” said concluded.