By George Bukenya
In an effort to avert cyber crimes and its resultant effects, experts have launched Cyber security awareness month which will commence in October this year aimed at disseminating information to individuals and institution on how best they can combat the cyber crime.
While address reporters at the launch of October,2024 Cyber security awareness month in Kampala, Milima Security Company Ltd CEO Emmanuel Agape Chagara, the CEO said that organizations in Uganda are facing is a very serious problem of cyber crimes and if measures are not put in place to eradicate such cyber threats like digital fraud will escalate and business companies and organization will collapse .
Chagara asserted that cyber threat should be a concern for both the public and private sectors because of the risk threat it poses for instance loss of money through hacking of the financial systems of the institutions as well as loosing trust and credibility among the clients and the public.
“Look at yourself as an individual not Uganda as a big picture when it comes to the issues of Cyber Security concerns for instance if UGX 100,000 is lost on mobile money account for your small business then you suffer more than a big organization because you may not even have an insurance cover to be backed up for recapitalization of your business.’’ Chagara asserted.
He further noted that cybercrime continue to have a huge economic negative impact causing loss on large sums of money annually due to cyber related cases, where financial institutions are a primary target by the hackers.
This is evidenced in the Uganda Police Annual Report of 2022 which indicated that cybercrime cases are steadily rising. According to the report, cybercrimes increased by 50% in 2022 showing an alarming tread for instance digital fraud an hacking and this led to the loss of UGX 15 billion from institutions.
“The recent Bank of Uganda report also revealed that more than 50% of cybercrimes in Uganda involve digital fraud, particularly in mobile banking and electronic transactions. This highlights the vulnerability of the country’s ever expanding digital financial services,” Chagara said.
Alex Kateshumbwa the Cloud Sales Specialist from Liquid Intelligent Technologies in the joint press briefing argued organizations to invest in cyber risk assurance services if they are to combat cyber related threats in their organizations and also build public trust.
“ Cyber defensive Services secure environmentally detective and responsive mechanisms which organizations both in the public and private sectors ought to invest in so as to control the threats and risks of cybercrimes.’’ Kateshumbwa advised.
He also said that there’s a need to bridges the Cyber Security gap because of the growing Artificial Intelligence technology tread poses a great threat to the computer users.
The Cloud Sales Specialist also noted that 85% of the cyber security threats that institutions and individuals face are avoidable and by using cyber awareness campaign, we can reduce losses by more than 85%.
He said that user education and awareness yet to be carried out will reduce drastically the threats and small and medium scale enterprises will also be engaged trough digital platforms, talk shows and conventions will be carried out in both national and local languages.
Henery Mpindi the Finance Manager of the Association of Micro Finance Institution s of Uganda noted that the law regarding cyber crime related to fraud has loopholes in the sense that it only gives maximum sentence and it doesn’t spell out the minimum punishment one if convicted should be subjected to.
According to him this give room to the judge to give a lighter punishment which may be based on his or her wisdom yet an institution may have been severly damaged in terms of financial losses inflicted to it by the criminals. It’s from this background that Mpindi called on government to come out with the amendments in the law to remove the loopholes.
The experts who spoke to the journalist all alluded to the need to have stronger cyber security yardsticks to protect individuals, businesses and the critical infrastructures if we are to protect an estimated 23 million users as of 2023 who represent over 48% of the population in Uganda.
Chagara revealed that in an effort to create more awareness, experts from all over the country will for the entire month of October provide Ugandans tips on cyber security in a bid to ensure they fall victim to cyber threats and attacks.
He said the month-long public awareness campaign is designed to raise awareness, create forums for dialogue, and open up conversations between public and private sectors on the need for collaborative action against emerging cyber threats.
“Together with our partners, we are committed to raising public awareness, enhancing cyber security readiness, and equipping institutions with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in today’s digital age. This collaboration marks a major step in protecting both our nation’s critical infrastructure and the livelihoods of our citizens,” the CEO at Milima Security said.
Martin Karungi from the National Information Technology Authority- Uganda ( NITA-U) said that the cyber security awareness month should attract every Ugandan because of the huge negative threat posed by cybercrimes
“The spread of internet has made a big impact on availability of devices that can be attacked. This month helps us to see how best we can protect ourselves. You have a Smartphone that you go with in bed, in charge while driving and everywhere. Have you ever thought that this device is collecting your information and can be used to attack you? It is high time people knew how to protect their data from any form of breach,” Karungi asserted.
Milima Security CEO, said that, throughout the entire month of October, they will carry out a number of activities to raise cyber security awareness where cyber security skills will be extended SACCO leaders in the different areas, microfinance institutions will also be engaged and given skills on how to detect and deal with fraud. The campaign will end on 31st October at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa Division.