African countries boost Internet security training

13.04.2009
Boosted by the prospect of an Internet boom from various infrastructure projects, representatives from 22 African are meeting in Arusha for training on securing critical Internet infrastructure.

Renewed impetus for Internet security preparedness comes as the ship laying SEACOM project fiber optic cable lines has docked at the port of Mombasa and national backbones have been completed in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SEACOM is expected to be operational in June, followed by The East Africa Sub Marine System (TEAMS) in September and the East Africa Submarine System (EASSY) is expected in June of next year. The cables will interconnect 16 countries on the east coast and the whole continent via SAT 3 cable in West Africa.

Many governments in Africa are relying on Web sites and e-mails to offer services and send information to the public -- for instance, tax returns can be filed online in some countries, said Michuki Mwangi, president of the Africa Top Level Domain organization.

The Internet infrastructure faces threats from malicious hackers, environmental and natural disasters, attacks from disgruntled employees, social-engineering spoofing and equipment failure.