Tech: Top 6 African countries committed to cybersecurity

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has released the second edition of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2017.

ITU is an agency of the United Nations which measures the cyber security of countries as well as highlights a number of illustrative practices from around the world.

The increase in internet penetration in Africa brings opportunity but so does it bring threat. Global Cybersecurity survey mechanisms put in place by states to ensure cyber security.

The variables considered are legal, technical and organisational measures, capacity building and international cooperation.

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In 2017 the Index shows developing countries lack well-trained cyber security experts as well as a thorough appreciation and the necessary education on cyber security issues for law enforcement, and continued challenges in the judiciary and legislative branches.

With a global attention on cyber security, it will be good for companies all over the world implement solutions to provide a safe space for internet users.

Here are the top 6 African countries putting measures in places to secure a safe cyberspace

• Mauritius

 

Mauritius scored high in the legal and the technical areas. It is 6th on the global ranking report with a total of 0.830.

• Egypt

 

This northern African country scored highly in the technical area. The report shows Egypt placing 14 globally and second on the African continent with an overall score of 0.772.

• Rwanda

 

Ranked third in Africa, Rwanda scores high in the organisational pillar and has a standalone cyber security policy addressing both the public and the private sector. Also, an East African country, Rwanda scored 0.602 overall and ranked 36 globally.

• Kenya

 

Another East African, Kenya is ranked fourth in the region. The country provides a good example of cooperation through its National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre. Kenya scored 0.574 overall and ranked 45 globally.

• Nigeria

 

This West African country ranked 5th on the continent. It scored an overall of 0.569 and ranked 46th globally. The report further says Nigeria’s cybersecurity programmes and initiatives are in “maturing stage”.

• Morocco

 

Morocco is ranked 49 globally with an overall score of 0.541. Morocco is a member of the ITU-IMPACT initiative and has access to relevant cyber security services. This country has an officially recognised national (and sector specific) cybersecurity framework for implementing internationally recognised cybersecurity standards. Morocco has established an official recognised National CIRT (maCERT).

Uganda, South Africa, Algeria, and Botswana follow respectively.
 

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