Third National Cybersecurity Forum Opens in Mogadishu, Strengthening Community Engagement in Digital Security
The Third National Cybersecurity Forum officially opened in Mogadishu on Monday, marking a significant step toward strengthening Somalia’s digital security ecosystem and enhancing cooperation across government, private sector, academia, and civil society.
The two-day forum is jointly organized by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Mogadishu University under the theme “Promoting Digital Security in Somalia,” reflecting the growing role of cybersecurity as a shared social and national responsibility.
The event brings together senior government officials, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, telecommunications companies, Internet Service Providers, financial institutions, academic researchers, and civil society organizations, highlighting its broad social and institutional reach.
Collaboration as a Foundation for Digital Safety
Speaking at the opening session, Mogadishu University President Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed Mursal stressed the importance of collaboration between government institutions, universities, and the private sector in building sustainable digital security frameworks.
NCA Director General Mustafa Yasin Sheikh described cybersecurity as a foundational pillar of Somalia’s digital transformation. He emphasized that addressing cyber threats requires close coordination among public institutions, academic bodies, and private sector stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the NCA’s commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing technical capacity to safeguard national communications infrastructure and digital services.
Cybersecurity as a National and Social Priority
Minister of Communications and Technology Mohamed Hassan Mohamed (Soomaali) underscored that cybersecurity is a national priority with direct implications for governance, economic growth, and public trust in digital services.
He noted that the ministry is actively working on developing and enforcing cybersecurity laws and policies to protect critical information and essential services, adding that the Cybersecurity Law is currently under parliamentary review.
Over the two days, the forum will feature keynote speeches, expert presentations, panel discussions, academic research papers, and practical tabletop exercises focusing on cybersecurity governance, public–private partnerships, public awareness, and coordinated incident response.
The Third National Cybersecurity Forum represents an important milestone in Somalia’s efforts to build resilient digital security frameworks, reinforcing the country’s commitment to a secure, trusted, and inclusive digital future for society as a whole.
This article clearly shows how collaboration between institutions and communities is becoming central to building strong cybersecurity frameworks in Somalia.
ReplyDeleteA timely and important discussion.