• 1 year ago

Cyber Security Challenges In Ethiopia

Due to the complexity and interconnected nature of the Internet, many emerging technologies are left with high-security problems and cyber-attacking challenges. Emerging technologies such as 5G networking, the Internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) are enabling everything from self-driving cars to driverless cars. These technologies are also creating cybersecurity challenges for IT industries. 

In developing countries like Ethiopia cyber security challenges become more difficult due to:  

          ♦ the growing number of Internet users

          ♦ weak cyber security techniques

          ♦ poor secure networks

          ♦ lack of cyber laws and

          ♦ short of well-trained IT security experts 

Cyber-attack attempts in Ethiopia

On December 5/2019, Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (INSA) Home - en - INSA announced that it has aborted cyber-attacks launched against financial institutions across the country. There is always data and information leakage in the country. Ethiopia has been targeting key public organizations such as the ministry of education, telecommunications infrastructure, financial sectors, and others. 

Cyber security status in Ethiopia  

As it's known, INSA is the sole cyber security organ in Ethiopia. INSA established Cyber Emergency Readiness and Responses Team known as ETHIO-CERT. ISP (Internet Service Provider) is utilizing firewalls, network intrusion prevention systems (IPS), dial-up protection, and packet filtering mechanisms to protect the internet infrastructure, corporate VPNs, and Lease lines. 

According to the INSA report, the cyber-attack attempts were carried out on 17, 18, 19, and 20 /2020. The intention was to create economical, psychological, and political pressure on Ethiopia. Legal frameworks and standards have not yet been formulated in Ethiopia. Cyber-attacks have increased from 479, 576 to 791 annually during the past three successive years in Ethiopia, of which 15 percent of the attacks during the last nine months of 2018/19 were cyber hacking attempts, expert says. About 87.4 percent of government institutions do have not any recognized legal frameworks to tackle cyber-attacks though some 11.6 percent are at their trial level. 

Uniformly, the world lost $1.5 trillion in 2018 due to cyber-attacks. The world is also projected to lose 6 trillion USD by 2021. As INSA said, Ethiopian institutions were affected by a global cyber-attack that hit some 155 countries. 

Best Practices 

Despite the fact, 100% secure is impossible. But, to mitigate vulnerability issues and cyber-attacks in Ethiopia, implementing best practices such as education, training, legal framework, protecting web servers, password security, authentication of data, Anti-virus software and firewalls are the best ways to achieve optimum cyber security in Ethiopia. Investment in cyber security, cyber security awareness on utilizing smartphones, and privacy concerns are also mandatory for security effectiveness.