Addis Ababa: A conference focused on setting security principles and frameworks into systems and on collaboration in cyber security and digital transformation in Ethiopia is underway in Addis Ababa. Opening the two-day conference today, Innovation and Technology State Minister Fozia Amin has emphasized the need for taking a paradigm of “cyber security by design” as a doctrine that sets in security principles and frameworks into systems.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the indispensability of securing digital infrastructures for the functioning of all sectors was noted, alongside the importance of adopting “cyber security by design,” which integrates security principles and frameworks from the nascent stages far into design, implementation, and operation. Fozia Amin highlighted that this approach not only resists threats but also enhances trust among users, investors, classrooms, and institutions. She emphasized that people and organizations will embrace the digital economy when they feel secure about the
ir digital engagement.
Fozia Amin pointed out that the realization of a secure digital ecosystem cannot be shouldered by a single ministry, agency, or even nation. Cyber security, by its nature, requires coordination among various stakeholders, both nationally and globally. She stressed the need for collaboration among governments, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and international partners to foster an environment conducive to collaboration.
Furthermore, Fozia underscored the necessity of innovation to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, advocating for the cultivation of home-grown talents and research projects for innovative cyber security solutions. By disseminating research, she believes it will inform future policy and practice while enriching the global cyber security knowledge base.
Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for Africa, Emmanuel Manasseh, remarked that connectivity is central to digital transformation as it lays the foundation for digital
advancement. He added that digital transformation driven by increased connectivity requires robust cyber security measures to protect users from growing cyber threats.
Ethiopian Cyber Security Association President Berhanu Beyene, addressing the conference, emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration on national and global levels and the crucial role of comprehensive policy and strategy. He noted that collaboration is essential to securing digital assets and critical infrastructure, which must be supported by comprehensive policies, strategies, continuous engagement, and a commitment to adapting to the evolving cyber security landscape.