People are the weakest link

A joke is said that when an organization spends more funds on coffee than on cyber security then they merit being hacked. Deep, right?

But as the internet continues to become an integral component of the lives of Kenyans, the exposure to attacks in the net, also cybercrimes are on the rise and protection against such threats deserves more zeal than that cup of coffee.

A recent Communications Authority of Kenya report alluded to by the Acting Director General, Ms Mercy Wanjau, during the annual cyber security forum held in Nairobi, showed an upward growth of such crimes from 26000 reported cases in 2018 to 52000 in 2019. The CA Cyber Security summit is an annual forum hosted to sensitize and educate Kenyans on the importance of securing the cyber place.

A secure cyber economy is essential to the country as we inch towards becoming a digital economy,” said Ngene Gituku, Chairman Board of Directors at CA while welcoming delegates to the cyber security 2019 summit. Adding; “Cyber security is proper development of this country.”

The summit is usually hosted in the month of October that is the Global Cyber Security Awareness Month, this year’s theme being ‘To emphasizes personal accountability and stresses the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace.’

People proven to be the greatest asset otherwise the weakest link in any organization or government, thus emphasis on how to secure the people, processes and technology as a strategy to lock out any potential vulnerabilities in the cyber space especially now when cybersecurity is proving an essential agent in the ongoing efforts to enhance the digital transformation journey of the country.

Ms Wanaju  pointed that data is no longer just raw information, it is now capable of generating valuable resources thus a need for a paradigm shift in the manner of handling and securing it. She added that the aim of hosting a cyber security forum during the October Global Cyber security month is to post trust and confidence for the effective management of the cyber space and the users including children and hackers; ethical or otherwise.

“Owing the critical role that the internet and ICT is playing in the realization of the Vision 2030 and the Blue Print Economy among other visions in the country, security of the cyber space is paramount,” said Mercy Wanjau.

Jerome Ochieng, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT, who officially opened the three day forum at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, challenged individuals to ensure cyber security even at personal levels.

“People are the weakest link and the security chain is just as strong as the weakest link,” said PS Jerome.

The forum encouraged individuals to always ensure cyber hygiene while consuming cyber products.