Kenyan cyberspace under threat, needs urgent protection says CDF

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Kenyan cyberspace is unsecure and needs urgent protection, the Chief of Defence Forces Gen Samson Mwathethe has said.
Gen Mwathethe said cyberspace has taken on an increased strategic importance as governments and states have begun to think of it as yet another domain similar to land, sea and air that must be secured to protect national interests.
He said there is need for governments to be smarter in preventing, detecting and prosecuting the use of cyberspace for criminal ends.
"In an era of cloud computing where there is an app for every occasion, where we cant always predict what the next big thing will be, we will need to be adaptable, flexible and fast off the mark to be safe," he said.
Gen Mwathethe spoke at a cyber security conference at the Safari Park Hotel, which is discussing ways of addressing the threats posed online.
The conference is aimed at creating awareness and sensitization on cyber security threats and builds capacity to mitigate risks in government and the public at large.
Gen Mwathethe called for caution on what anyone posts online as it could be accessed by anyone for ulterior motives.
He added that the cyberspace is abused by people through espionage, terrorism, vandalism and general crime. He said the difference in the abuse is the method used.
Gen Mwathethe said they are investing in capabilities that enable the military and other law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activities in the cyberspace.
"This is about catching and prosecuting real world criminals who are using the internet- paedophiles, fraudsters, thieves, terror groups- and protecting the system which people now rely on against those who want to crash it," he said.
He advised internet users to keep their anti-virus software up to date, scan their machines for viruses, avoid posting sensitive personal information on open sites and avoid opening unsolicited messages.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said the internet is increasingly complex, generally ungoverned and mostly free of regulation.
She said the government is developing the cyber security strategy 2014 which focuses on capacity building and awareness.

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