𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐎𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫-𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬

𝐁𝐲 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚.                                                                                           

The National Cyber-security Coordination Centre (NC3) will today end a two-day symposium with the aim to foster a common understanding of Sierra Leone’s Cyber-security and Crime Act. The symposium which takes place at Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown brought together senior stakeholders from the UN, World Bank, Legal and Justice Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Information and Communications.

The following topics were discussed during the first day of the symposium: “Framing the need for Combating Cyber-security in National Digital Transformation Initiatives, Sierra Leone’s Cybercrime Landscape, Provisions of the Cyber-security and Crime Act, 2021, Role of Law Enforcement in Implementing the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021: Legal and Institutional Challenges and Recommendations. The day was climaxed with panellists drawn from the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Justice and the Sierra Leone Police and Private Legal Practitioners.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray said the gathering is in fulfilment of President Julius Maada Bio’s vision in ensuring that Sierra Leone plays key role in the 4th industrial revolution having missed out in the 3rd industrial revolution.

Mr. Swaray informed them that the Cyber-security Crime Act is very important for the betterment of the country.

He said, several training has been conducted for the Judiciary and Sierra Leone Police as Cybersecurity Crime is a very important issue that needs to be addressed. “The Cybersecurity Crime Act is here to stay…Cybercrimes are mostly committed by people outside of the country”, Minister Swaray noted. He maintained that the World Bank and ECOWAS are in full support of the country’s Cybersecurity law.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Panda Noah expressed thanks and appreciation to the Cybersecurity Team for organizing the two-day Cybersecurity Symposium. Minister Noah thanked organizers for letting his Ministry be part of the Symposium. “There is need for collaborative efforts in making this Act successful…The New Direction government through the Ministry of Internal Affairs is fully committed in transforming each and every security sector in the country”, the Minister noted.

Other speakers included representatives from the United Nations Country Office, the World Bank and the Chief Justice who served as the Keynote Speaker.