On 24-25 June the Tatua Digital Resilience Centre took part in a Seminar on Current Challenges in Fighting Cybercrime hosted by the Czech Republic. The seminar provided a platform for experts with experience or interest in fighting cybercrime and strengthening cyber security to exchange experience and enhance cooperation in combating cybercrime. The increasing number of internet users and devices, coupled with the high reliance on the internet for everyday living creates a ripe environment for the growth of online crime. According to experts, despite the technological advancement in defensive cybersecurity, cyberattacks continue to be a significant challenge for organizations globally. In fact, it is estimated that threat actors carry out 11.5 attacks every minute and ransomware motivated over 72 percent of cybersecurity attacks in 2023. Moreover, the global cost of cybercrime continues to rise annually and is expected to reach a record high of 15.63 trillion US Dollars in 2029. As a result, it has become increasingly important for international collaboration to combat this global prevalence of cybercrime. The Czech Republic, which has long been actively involved in this area, nationally and internationally, seeks to further strengthen cooperation with the African region on this urgent matter.
The Czech Republic is a frontrunner in cybersecurity, with well-established national institutions to address cyber threats:
- National Cyber & Information Security Agency (NÚKIB): This government agency plays a central role in protecting critical national infrastructure, overseeing incident response, and promoting cybersecurity awareness. It works on:
- Protection of classified information in communication systems.
- National cybersecurity strategies.
- Running the Government CERT (GovCERT), which plays a crucial role in protecting critical infrastructure.
- Educating the public on cybersecurity.
- Police of the Czech Republic: Their specialized units investigate cybercrime activities and work closely with NÚKIB on cyber incidents.
- More information about the Czech Republic’s cybercrime strategy, policies, and legislation can be found in the following resources:
Similarly, Kenya has made significant strides in developing its cybersecurity framework. Here are some key institutions involved:
- Communications Authority of Kenya (CA): The CA is responsible for regulating the ICT sector, including cybersecurity. They develop policies and guidelines for securing Kenya’s digital infrastructure.
- Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (CMCA): This is the overarching law that guides the detection prevention, response, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime in Kenya. It also facilitates collaboration with other countries to combat transnational cybercrime.
- National Computer Cybercrimes and Coordination Committee (NC4): This is the lead agency for cybersecurity in Kenya. Established by the CMCA, NC4 coordinates national efforts on cybercrime. It plays a crucial role in:
- Advising the government on cybersecurity policies and strategies.
- Overseeing the identification and designation of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
- Facilitating information sharing and cyber threat response.
- Promoting cybersecurity awareness and capacity building.
During the seminar, representatives from the Czech Republic showcased how national institutions cooperated in dealing with specific cyber attacks. There was special emphasis on the involvement of academia in the research and development of tools to aid in tracking cyber criminals using the dark web and cryptocurrencies. Another important issue discussed extensively was the involvement of academia in combating deepfakes, misinformation, and disinformation. Both nations have made significant strides to combat misinformation and disinformation. Locally, KICTANet is a major stakeholder in researching the impact of disinformation on online gender-based violence, elections, and digital human rights. Together with partners, KICTANet is developing interventions to counter misinformation and disinformation in the East African digital space.
Finally, there was a discussion on the importance of a multistakeholder approach in the development of AI technologies to ensure the interests of the countries affected by these technologies are protected alongside those of the developers.
Why Collaboration Matters
From the seminar discussions, it is evident that cybercrime transcends borders, making international cooperation crucial. By sharing knowledge and best practices, nations can develop more effective strategies to:
- Identify and prevent cyberattacks: Collaborative efforts can help detect emerging threats faster and create preventative measures.
- Investigate and prosecute cybercriminals: Sharing information on cybercrime activities can lead to better investigations and successful prosecutions.
- Enhance overall cybersecurity posture: Exchanging knowledge on national cybersecurity frameworks strengthens digital defenses for all parties involved.
By working together, The Czech Republic and Kenya can build a more robust defense against cyber threats. The seminar stakeholders also hoped for further sessions to enhance collaboration and setting of a positive example for international cooperation in fighting cybercrime.