Strathmore University launches Cyber Security Masters program

Strathmore University is launching the first Information Security Master’s of Science (Msc.) program in the region to provide high level cyber security training targeting experienced security professionals.

The University said the Msc. program is targeted at Chief Information Officers, Network Security engineers, Information Security Architects, Incident Responders, Penetration Testers, Forensic Experts in Defense, Police Service, quasi government agencies and private enterprises.

The University will launch this program on Tuesday 17th March at the University’s main Auditorium in an event that will be graced by Dr. Fred Matiangi-the Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communications.

According to Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica, the two year program is product of technical collaboration with leading industry partners in the region and will be supported by leading international faculty who are experts in this field.

Classes will make extensive use of distance learning technologies to allow participation of students outside Nairobi.

“Our objective is to convert the best resources we have in the country and region into high value experts in the field of information security to better face the threats against their enterprises and governments in the region,” he said.

Strathmore University will leverage advanced security research labs based at its @iLabAfrica Research centre and technical partnership with Safaricom, Huawei, ICT Authority, EMC, Ericsson, Oracle, CISCO Academy, Softlock and Microsoft to avail world class research resources required for the program.

Kenya has experienced increased cyber-attacks since the going live of submarine fiber optic cables with financial institutions and government agencies suffering the brunt of it.

A recent study by Strathmore University showed a dire shortage of IT Security professionals with high-value skill sets required to tackle the increasing sophisticated threats.

There have been various incidents of cyber insecurity in recent years, that show case why such a program may be warranted, a good example of a high profile case of hacking that occurred within Kenya, was an attack that targeted the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Twitter account by a hacker known as Anonymous.

The hackers got access to the KDF account as well as KDF Spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir -@MajorEChirchir – accounts and left  a series of tweets which are misleading and abusive.