Meeting to propose strategy for Ethiopia's ehealth programme

The first World Information Society day was observed on 17th May 2006 to mark the inception of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1865, over 140 years ago. According to ITU, the intention of commemorating World Information Society Day is to focus global attention on extending the enormous benefits of the digital revolution in information and communication technologies (ICTs) to all humanity.

Impetus for marking this day stems from the WSIS process, which culminated with the Tunis Commitments and the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society in November 2005. The UN was also called upon to endorse 17 May, which previously marked World Telecommunication Day, as World Information Society Day.

“This first year’s theme “Promoting Global Cybersecurity” could not be more relevant as in this networked world, even though information systems are well designed to withstand external physical damage, they are weak in the face of internal attacks,” says Mr. Makane Faye, Regional ICT Advisor, UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

He notes that systems were never designed with internal security in mind, "and that is why more and more companies are up against cybercrime which regularly defrauds them of large amounts of money and resources”.

Due to the growing threat on electronic networks and electronic transactions, the Tunis Agenda reaffirmed that world leaders should "develop a global culture of cyber-security and develop legislation for the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, adopt anti-spam legislation and enhance the protection of personal information and freedom of expression".

"The need to address e-security is urgent, now more than ever," says Faye adding that an FBI study concludes that 90% of companies in the developed world suffered a security incident in 2005. He laments that African countries have yet to put in place ICT legislation and regulation with cybersecurity dimensions in mind.

"Even though the continent is not yet a high target because of its limited e-commerce applications and few number of users, this may change quickly as the infrastructure improves to enable Africa become the source from which attacks would emanate,” cautions Faye.

In response to this challenge, ECA has incorporated cybersecurity issues in the ongoing work with Member States to set up National Information and Communication Infrastructure (NICI) Plans as well as in the sub-regional strategies spearheaded by the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). “We are working on an approach that builds the capacity of stakeholders and network managers on responding to the cybersecurity challenge. We also need to raise e-security awareness in government and businesses”, says Faye.

In addition, ECA in cooperation with the UN Department for Economic Affairs (DESA) and the Canadian Centre for e-Policy Resource (EPOLNET) will be hosting a series of training workshops for policymakers on Internet Governance and cybersecurity. The first of these is scheduled to take place at the UN Conference Centre in Addis Ababa from 2-6 July 2006.

Meanwhile, in Geneva, where post-WSIS consultations are taking place, the highlight of this day was issuing the World Information Society Award to key individuals whose pioneering efforts are making a difference in making the last mile access a reality.

President Wade of Senegal, whose vision of the innovative Digital Solidarity Fund aims to provide opportunities for developing countries and Professor Muhammad Yunus, managing Director of Grameen Bank whose efforts have successfully pioneered microcredit and ICTs for rural poor in Bangladesh, will each receive an award.

More: www.uneca.org/disd
Contact: Makane Faye (mfaye@uneca.org) for more information