Internet security company ESET East Africa has signed a memorandum of understanding (M.O.U) with Strathmore’s @iLabAfrica aimed at enhancing the fight against cybercrime in Kenya.
The M.O.U according to Teddy Njoroge, Country Manager ESET East Africa, will support Strathmore University’s current academic programs on cybersecurity. This will be ‘’through collaborative research and benchmarking approaches on issues of local interest such as ethical hacking, phishing and ransomware studies”.
Strathmore University launched its first Information Security Master’s of Science (Msc.) program in the region last year to provide high-level cyber security training targeting experienced security professionals. The program is targeted at Chief Information Officers, Network Security engineers, Information Security Architects, Incident Responders, Penetration Testers, Forensic Experts in Defense, Police Service, quasi-government agencies and private enterprises.
Estimates indicate that Kenya has just about 1000 certified cyber-security specialists, way lower than the optimal 40,000 needed.
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“The rise of cyber-crime and related information security incidents in the country can be attributed to this shortage of personnel coupled with the slow development of homegrown research-driven solutions,” said Collins Oduor the Information Technology Security Manager for @iLabAfrica center.
The institution offers customized cyber-security training in ethical hacking, computer hacking forensic investigation as well as certified security analyst courses to about 200 graduate and undergraduate students annually – drawn from the financial services sector, government agencies, and academia.
Among other agreements, under the M.O.U with ESET East Africa, @iLabAfrica Centre plans to develop and introduce additional courses on emerging technologies and skills to tackle new cyber threats such as Internet of Things (IoT) Security, Security for Industrial Control Systems, Cybersecurity for Executives, Advance Malware Analysis and Secure Application Development among others.
ESET has also announced plans to set up a research and cybersecurity operations center (SOC) in the country. The company says it is exploring joint opportunities with like-minded partners and contribute assets in developing innovative cyber-security solutions targeting both blue chip businesses and Small and Medium Enterprises over the next one year.
