Despite promising initiatives, Senegal is delaying in the field of cybersecurity. Daouda Sow, co-founder and managing director of Techso Group, analyzes the current situation and offers solutions to allow the country to fill this delay and become a regional leader.
As an expert, how do you assess the current situation of cybersecurity in Senegal?
Senegal is a considerable delay in this area. While countries like Morocco have entrusted cybersecurity management to military entities for reasons of sovereignty, here there is not yet a clear roadmap or defined responsibilities. Each actor tries to manage cybersecurity issues in their own way, when a coordinated strategy would need and well established mechanisms.
But in 2022, Senegal had launched its national cybersecurity strategy. How do you analyze it?
This is an excellent thing, because a strategy is first of all the basis. Nothing can be done in this area without a clear vision. This strategy was supposed to serve as a roadmap to set up mechanisms. However, a strategy dating from 2022 is no longer completely relevant today. Faced with the rapid development of technologies and threats, it must be updated. It is crucial to integrate new factors, such as technological developments, the emergence of new threats and changes in actors. This will make it possible to set up the instruments necessary to effectively respond to these issues.
What are the mechanisms on which Senegal must bet to upgrade?
-To fill its delay in cybersecurity, Senegal must bet on several key aspects. The first concerns human capital, because technology alone is not enough. It is essential to have competent professionals capable of using and developing the necessary tools. This involves training, with specialized courses for young people and students, in order to create a skilled workforce in this area in high demand. In parallel, the country must invest in modern technologies to monitor, prevent and react to cybermenaces. Finally, effective governance is crucial, with a well -structured organization, clear processes and adapted regulations which make it possible to coordinate the efforts of all the actors involved.
You talked about trades. What can cybersecurity bring to a country like Senegal where unemployment is very important?
Cybersecurity represents an immense opportunity to reduce unemployment. Many young people have the prerequisites to train in these professions of the future. With growing digitalization and the rise of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity needs will only increase. By investing in suitable training, the State can guarantee these young people stable and well -paid jobs.
What are your hopes for the future of cybersecurity in Senegal?
Senegal has the basics to become a regional cybersecurity leader. However, this requires massive investments, clear vision and rigorous implementation. An adapted strategy, increased international cooperation and an emphasis on human capital will allow the country to meet the challenges and to seize the opportunities offered by cybersecurity. In addition, the legal framework must evolve. Today, a judge can be helpless in the face of technical terms such as “denial of service” or “cybercrime”. The national strategy must include adapted laws to regulate these aspects. The current legal framework, although it covers certain areas such as the protection of personal data or electronic signature, must be updated to meet current issues. With such measures, Senegal will be able to cope with cyberrencies and prosper in the digital economy.
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