Ethiopia Insight - National ICT Security Policy to be designed

National ICT Security Policy to be designed

19 April, 2007

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2007 (WIC) – A National Information and Communications Technology Security Policy will be designed to prevent threats on data storage and dissemination, the Ethiopian Information and Communication Technology Development Agency said.

Project Management Unit Manger with the Agency, Tessema Geda, said the policy is deemed necessary to create a system in which data in governmental and non-governmental organizations would be kept reliably and sustainably.

In addition, the policy would aim at mitigating computer viruses that damage data, he said, adding that the policy is also important in curbing frauds and other crimes that are perpetrated using the technology.

Agreement will be signed with Microsoft Company to prepare the National Information and Communication Technology Security Policy while the Agency is preparing supportive security guidelines for the policy, he indicated.

The manager pointed out that a draft Information and Communication Security Policy is in the meantime prepared to be implemented soon after it is enriched by the relevant bodies.

In addition testing of the network of Woreda Net, Data Center and the Head Office is underway and this will enable to identify possible problems to take the necessary measure.