CYBER CRIME & CYBER SECURITY TRENDS IN AFRICA Benin Porto-Novo Population: 11,166,658 1 Internet Penetration: 11.95% 2 The Government of Benin has not yet assigned a specific government institution with oversight of cyber security related issues. However, they have developed a strategy paper regarding the establishment of a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), to be officially established in the near future. While there are not established laws regarding electronic communications they are currently in the process of being validated by experts. The Government of Benin has taken substantial steps in the development and execution of their Cyber Strategy. This strategy aims to establish trust in Benin’s digital infrastructure and has two primary objectives: 1). To reduce cyber crime nationally, and 2). To ensure effective cyber security for national ICT infrastructure including the nation’s critical infrastructure. In a national effort to raise cyber security awareness across the country, the Government of Benin launched a cyber security campaign focused on the country’s youth. The campaign is held annually and is called the Internet of Sensitization to Youth. This awareness campaign will be codified in their national cyber security strategy document once a formal framework has been established. The Government of Benin works with multiple Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations in order to increase overall cyber security awareness. They are also beginning to work with the private sector through informal partnerships, and recognize that cyber security requires both national and international cooperation. Benin’s national cyber security strategy also includes the development of curricula leading to a formal cyber security degree program in schools. The Government of Benin also takes part in a number of Confidence Building Measures (CBM) through international meetings and cooperates in international cyber security measures through exchanges with other countries, such as the recent meetings on West African Cyber security held in Dakar, Senegal. Going forward, the success of current efforts to improve Benin’s national cyber security posture will in large part hinge on several key factors, including: the implementation of their national strategy and the establishment of their national CERT.12 Burkina Faso Ouagadougou Population: 18,633,725 Internet Penetration: 9.26% The lead agency for cyber security in Burkina Faso is the National Agency for Information Systems Security (DCSSI). Other major stakeholders include Board Members from the Prime Ministry, the National Defense and Veterans Affairs Ministry, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Security, the Ministry of Electronic Communications, the Ministry of Justice and others. The investigation of cyber crimes and related activities is primarily carried out by the Central Directorate of Fighting Cyber 1 Source: www.worldmeters.info/population/countries-in-africa-by-population/ the elaboration data by UN, Dept. of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. 2 The Internet penetration rate has been updated accordingly from internetworldstats.com. 59