6. Collaborate with key foreign partners regionally and globally and within 1 year of approval of this policy join the West African Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT); 7. Ensure that all critical physical infrastructures are protected against vandalism and theft with appropriate legal penalties; 8. Facilitate regular training/ knowledge share on key cybersecurity matters with the judiciary and security services so they are adequately equipped to deal with breaches/emerging issues. 5.6. Universal Access and Service 5.6.1 Policy Objectives 1. Secure Affordable and Universal Access to both voice and broadband services for all citizens, with special attention to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations such as women, rural dwellers, those with disabilities and the poor; 2. Ensure prudent management of the Universal Access Fund; 3. Review and assess access gaps to ensure that the Fund addresses these gaps; 4. Support rural infrastructure expansion, as well as investments in vulnerable and disadvantaged urban communities and areas; 5. Promote and support demand stimulation projects to increase Liberia’s ability to develop into an information and knowledge society. Universal Access and Service are key to the growth of the ICT sector countrywide and to closing access gaps in voice and broadband. The Government is committed to ensuring that ICT services are available throughout the country and will support the universal service availability and the widest access to such services. In order to increase the level of access to ICT, the Government will provide the enabling environment for private sector entities to play a complementary role towards achieving universal access targets, including specific targets to close the rural-urban and gender digital divides. In 2015 the LTA established regulations on the Universal Access Fund which saw its creation, management and deployment with policy backing by the National Universal Access Program Strategy 2014 (NUAPS), the National ICT and Telecommunications Policy 2011 (ICT Policy), and sections 22 and 23 of the Telecommunications Act of 2007 of the Republic of Liberia (Act)5. The Universal Access Fund is governed by the Universal Access Governing Board, with its management carried out by the Universal Access Implementation Committee, while implementation of projects and management decisions are carried out by the Universal Access Project Implementation Unit (PIU). 5.6.2 Summary of Strategies 1. Establish mechanisms to support an array of public access solutions, including community networks; 2. Establish links between universal access fund supported initiatives and ICT focused projects to provide connectivity and support use in community organizations such as schools, health clinics, libraries, and local government offices; 5 Regulations on the Universal Access Fund. http://www.lta.gov.lr/doc/LTA%20REGULATIONS%20ON%20UAF.pdf 38