Cybersecurity is now a global concern. To address cyber threats, countries are coming together to strengthen cooperation for effective actions. 

Last Tuesday, the Arab Information and Communication Technologies organization (AICTO) presented its Cybersecurity strategy, on the sidelines of the "Regional Digital Trust Days" (November 29-December 1, 2022). 

The strategy aims to help the 17 AICTO member countries, including 10 African countries, respond to cyber challenges and harmonize their legal frameworks in an increasingly digitalized economic environment. 

For  Adnane Ben Halima, Vice President in charge of Public Relations for Huawei Northern Africa, with every sector undergoing digital transformation and internet usage growing, data privacy and protection can not be assured as they should if systems reliability is not ensured. “Cybersecurity is an important prerequisite and absolute priority,” he said. 

The strategy is presented a year after Arab League members and AICTO agreed to map out a common cybersecurity vision and strategy. It is developed in collaboration with experts and aims to promote joint actions and boost strategic inter-regional and global cooperation on the safety and security of ICTs.  

The strategy, which will be adopted in the coming months, is part of a set of projects laid out by the AICTO’s 2023-2027 action plan that aims to spur uniform growth and close the existing cybersecurity gap within member countries.

Samira Njoya