PURA concludes cyber security technical awareness training

In quest of promoting the critical infrastructural development in The Gambia’s institutions, Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) with the funding from the World Bank today concluded 10-day training on Cyber security technical awareness training.

The training involved key stakeholders to form a well-trained team of collaborating experts across security, law enforcement, government, ISPs, Banks, academia and the ICT industry in the Gambia.

In a ceremony held at the PURA head office in Kairaba Avenue, the director of consumer affairs Mr. Solo Sima delivered statement on behalf of his director general Momodou Jallow, saying he like engaging his staff and management towards the realization of the rolling out and implementing the national Computer Security and Incident Response Team (CSIRT).

He added that it was deemed one of the urgent and critical needs of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem, encompassing one of the key sectors that PURA regulates.  

“My engagement with PURA management in collaboration with ministry of information and communication infrastructure enabled me to observe first-hand and the hard work dedication of a committed team towards realizing a one term dream as one of the countries in Africa taking huge strides towards securing our digital space.”

He thanked the World Bank, participants, organizers, consultant, and gmCSIRT staff for showcasing in a very successful training.

“We are sure that implementing some of the skills learned and applied positively will immediately yield positive impact in your various institutions.”

Mr. Amadou Bah, the training consultant also stated that cyber security is the order of the day and it’s important in our national development.

“Cyber security is a collective responsibilities and team work is key. The highly critical national infrastructure institutions should be well protected.”

Mr. Nicolas Jatta, the director of ICT also renewed his appreciation to the World Bank and the training consultant for their great stand in the making the training a success. He said with the rise in cyber-attacks, it’s high time to organize such capacity building trainings.  

Delivering the opening remark, the director of Gambia International Police (Interpol) Ba Kebba Suso thanked the sponsors and the facilitators for the great opportunity in helping them gained and exchange knowledge during the days of training. He added that the speed in internet has brought criminal engagements like terrorism, sexual exploitation of children and more.