Information Communication Technology (ICT) professionals have rooted for training of experts in the sector to deal with emerging cyber security threats.
The practitioners emphasized the need to train more ICT experts on cyber security to enhance the country’s capacity to tackle cybercrime.
This follows a sharp rise in the number of attacks with Kenya ranking among the top three targeted countries in Africa.
Speaking during a Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) conference in Kisumu, ISACA Kenya Chapter President Mercy Omolo noted that lack of skilled workforce amidst emerging attacks was the biggest challenge to GRC with various organisations and state agencies grappling with cyber security threats.
Omolo said Kenya has a shortage of ICT experts in emerging areas of cyber security, a situation which is exposing the country’s systems to attacks.
"There is a need for more investments that are tailored to training and retooling of ICT professionals to adapt to the emerging threats and ensure the safety of the system," she said.
Omolo added that already the organisation has rolled out programmes to upskill and certify more than 1, 700 members to help enhance the country’s capacity to tackle cybercrime.
National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee Head of Cyber Security David Njoga on the other hand noted that digitization and onboarding government services online has left a digital footprint attracting cyber criminals.
Njoga noted that the trend has exposed government agencies and even the private sector to cyber attacks.
"Already the stated that the government has put in place a raft of measures, including the development of regulation to operationalize the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act (2019) to deal with the challenge".
He added that such measures are expected to improve compliance with the law and guarantee a stable digital economy for the benefit of the country.
