The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and INTERPOL are joining forces to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across Africa through the ITU-INTERPOL Regional Cyberdrill. This simulation exercise, set to take place in collaboration with Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA), aims to improve the region’s collective response to cyber threats and enhance cybersecurity preparedness among Member States.
Over the past decade, ITU has led more than 45 Cyberdrills globally, involving over 160 countries. These drills serve as platforms for countries to test and improve their cyber defenses, share knowledge, and adopt international best practices. Meanwhile, INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) project leverages its expertise in international police cooperation to help African nations conduct cross-border cybercrime operations. Partnering with Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, a key player in the Global Action on Cybercrime Enhanced (GLACY-e) initiative, ensures that the Cyberdrill draws on a wealth of experience in building a secure and resilient digital environment.
Key Objectives of the Cyberdrill
The ITU-INTERPOL Cyberdrill is built around several key objectives designed to bolster cybersecurity in the region:
- ITU’s Focus: The ITU aims to enhance the readiness and resilience of Africa’s Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and National Cybersecurity Centers. A significant part of this effort involves promoting the adoption of international cybersecurity standards and facilitating regional collaboration. By encouraging information sharing and cooperation among member states, ITU seeks to foster a unified approach to tackling cyber threats.
- INTERPOL’s Mission: INTERPOL focuses on supporting international cooperation in combating cybercrime. It will help Member Countries investigate and disrupt cybercrimes, drawing on findings from its 2024 African Cyberthreat Assessment Report. INTERPOL will also facilitate information exchange among law enforcement agencies and promote its Cybercrime Knowledge Exchange (CKE) Platform, which provides resources, technical tools, and training programs to bolster regional cybersecurity efforts.
- Cyber Security Authority’s Role: Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority aims to enhance information sharing among regional CERTs/CSIRTs and law enforcement agencies, assess the readiness of these entities to respond to cyber threats, and build their overall capacity to handle cyber incidents.
A Comprehensive Cybersecurity Exercise
The Cyberdrill is organized around four key themes: Reflect, Share, Learn, and Practice. Participants will review regional cybersecurity trends, share best practices and resources, build capacity for incident response, and test operational resiliency through hands-on exercises.
Event Details and Participation
The Cyberdrill will be held from September 2-6, 2024, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana. The event is structured to provide focused sessions for different stakeholders, including CERTs, national cybersecurity agencies, law enforcement, telecom operators, and academia, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to building cybersecurity capacity across the region.
Registration Information
Interested participants must create an ITU User Account and complete the registration process. By bringing together the region’s cybersecurity community, the ITU-INTERPOL Cyberdrill aims to strengthen Africa’s defenses against the growing threat of cybercrime.
