Rwanda government is enhancing measures to tame cyber insecurity

The government of Rwanda has over the last five years aggressively pursued and invested heavily in the information and communications technology (ICT), a move that has now heightened the momentum of securing the digital space Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa, ICT Minister, Rwanda has said.

Having made major leaps in the digital space, it is time government challenged itself further on how to better policies and laws that can regulate the digital space? Are we responsive and progressive? What are our initiatives in protecting the now fast expanding digital economy,” posed the minister.

Considering that there are real issues around protecting the digital ecosystem is infrastructure, and maintaining this position. In the second, we have an opportunity to create a self-sustaining cyber security ecosystem, one where the SMEs and multinationals can work together, and make Rwanda and by extension East Africa and beyond an excellent space.

It therefore delights Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) to partner with CIO East Africa to host the premier Cloud and Cyber Security Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

RISA seized the opportunity to host this summit. Why? We considered the background that ICT is set as the key driver for socio-economic development and the enabler to fast track Rwanda’s transformation into a knowledge-based society.

The summit, themed; Protecting the Digital Space served as the climax of the Rwanda National Cybersecurity Awareness Week. Since ICT and Internet are increasingly becoming a tool of everyday life, it was timely for RISA to up our National preparedness for cyber security threats.

According to the minister, there are still significant challenges to be faced. Currently, more than half the global population lack basic access to the knowledge, skills and resources that would empower them to participate in the new digital economy – and the majority of those excluded are African.

Several youth also face an educational challenge, where inequalities and outdated curricula are leaving them unequipped for a changing work place. In this regard, Rwanda needs partners, who can help improve people’s lives, empower them to participate in the economy, and to widen the technology access to include those at risk of being left behind in this era of digital transformation

Cloud computing amplifies and accelerates this digital transformation and offers significant potential for social, economic and environmental impact. Cloud computing provides access to globally pooled computing resources on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis and helps to scale functions like storage and analytics – without the need for costly IT infrastructure investment.

“However, as we appreciate that cloud computing is here to stay and is a necessary business driver, it is regrettable that cloud security myths keep circulating causing many IT executives to delay, fear and drag their feet with public cloud adoption. While on this journey, our position is a firm yes to cloud but with an equivalent match to security transformation,” said the minister.