The National Information Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) is conducting a National Cyber Security Risk Assessment (NCRA) campaign.
Cybersecurity risk assessment is done to identify, estimate, and prioritize risk to organizational operations (i.e., mission, functions, image, and reputation), organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation, resulting from the operation and use of information systems.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting rolled out the National Cyber Security Capacity Building initiative which commits Commonwealth states to work together to fight cybercrimes.
The drive in Uganda is being carried out in partnership with the UK Government through the British High Commission (Foreign and Commonwealth Office).
Arnold Mangeni, the Director Information Security at NITA-U says that “the National Cybersecurity Risk Assessment provides an avenue for us as a Country to validate our national risk profile and inform the next remedial steps based on a collaborative effort.”
During a workshop related to the drive, Noah Baalessanvu, the Chairman of the National Information Security Advisory Group (NISAG), a public-private information security coordination platform set up by NITA-U said that the NISAG was already in the process of updating the National Risk Register for Uganda.
He added that the assessment is crucial in protecting critical information infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Vincent Bagiire said that Uganda had made significant gains in the building the nation’s cyber capacity and resilience.
The cybersecurity strategy has been updated as well in this regard, he said.
Through NITA-U, the Government is taking Government services online and there is, therefore, need to secure these services.
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He thanked the UK government for the support they are providing in facilitating the National Cyber Risk Assessment
The Deputy High Commissioner for Uganda applauded Uganda for being the first country to be visited since the conference in Botswana.
She asked the team to look towards the emerging cyber challenges that commonwealth partner’s face. “Cyber Security affects us all, as online crime does not respect international borders,” she said.
In addition, the UK has made up to £ 15 million available to support the implementation of the declaration through 2020.
At the end of the workshop, Uganda will have a National Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Report. This report will give an indication of the country’s Risk Profile.
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