Agency says 3000 cyber-crime cases reported in Kenya monthly

Microsoft''s  Angela Ng'ang'a (right) and Ministry of Information Secretary Ezekiel Mutua (second right) follow proceedings during ISACA conference on Cyber Crime Photo/Kelvin Karani

MOMBASA, KENYA: About 3,000 cyber-crime related incidences are reported in Kenya every month, according to a tally released by an organisation tracking internet security.
The president of Information Technology, Security and Assurance (ISACA) Kenya chapter Paul Roy Owino revealed in Mombasa the internet based crimes documented range from banking fraud, money transfer (Mpesa) and personal data being interfered with by hackers.
He said that internet banking services have also been affected as hackers and fraudsters worldwide are able to access personal and organization data.
Owino said criminals deliberately resort to manipulating data in some organizations saying there was a need for a proper regulated industry and thorough protection of digital platforms.
"There is a need to thoroughly protect our digital platform. Data and personal information is getting into the wrong hands. Like in a month, we have received between 2,000-3,000 cases of cybercrime and they range from hacking of personal data, Mpesa transactions and banking fraud," said Owino.
"We have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ministry of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) where they are planning to conduct ICT audits, train law enforcement officers and continuously share intelligence and research documents we get from the government and private sector so that we can be able to curb this vice," he explained.
At the same time, Owino said there was a need for a law that will see IT professionals who are negligent in their jobs stripped off their practicing certificates.
"Currently we are in discussions with the ministry to ensure that there is a legislation that will formally recognize ISACA as a regulatory body in the country and we will ensure that those who do IT audits are in good standings and certified by this body," he said.
He also noted that people were using social media to malign other people, undermine national security, incitement saying that there is a need to regulate internet use and management.
"Anything good needs to be used in moderation. There is a danger of utilizing these facilities in a manner that will affect national security and malign someone's name and reputation," stated Owino.