Cyber security legislative framework a must

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum held earlier this month focused on providing structured opportunities to network, learn and participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and consultations on WSIS implementation.
During a recent address to the different ministers, secretary-general of the UN, the secretary-general of the ITU, distinguished delegates, deputy minister of information and communication technology, Stanley Simataa tackled some issues.
He said that there was no doubt that sporadic cyber attacks, had potential to paralyse key operations of nation states. Moreover, experience had shown that developmental initiatives were severely impaired when the security of nation states, areas compromised.
“Therefore, the development of a cyber security legislative framework which balances the rights of citizens with the security needs of nation states while at the same time providing agililty to nations to respond to intermittent cyber attacks, is an absolute imperative,” he said.

He said that they had gathered as the information society holding the same ancient belief, the belief that they want to chart the future well beyond 2015, because the present state of achievements of the World Summit on the Information Society action lines, left major room for continuous and targeted action in order to make significant advances.
Meanwhile, he said the country made significant strides in 2011 by investing in the deployment of the 5.12 terabit-per-second-capacity West Africa Cable System, as a means to invest in ICT infrastructure to specifically connect government offices as part of ongoing efforts to implement the e-government strategy.
Added Simataa, the efforts were further buttressed by the launch of the local ixp in 2013 and the fact that the country was DNSEC ready. He said the West Africa Cable System had provided the country with unparalleled broadband capacity which if properly harnessed, would accelerate the economic development and social transformation.
However, he said for that to be realized, they had devised strategies to ensure equitable diffusion of broadband throughout the country.
“There is no doubt that when properly harnessed, broadband remains an appropriate conduit through which nations can with confidence accelerate their efforts in pursuit of the post 2015 development agenda. While access to the internet has broken existing information and communication barriers and has equally unleashed unparalleled entrepreneurial opportunities, it remains critical for nations  to address lingering security concerns,” Simataa added.
“We as the information society, must recommit ourselves to continue the societys beyond 2015. building a new information society, is not a sprint but is a marathon undertaking which demands greater endurance and sustainability,” he said.