Cybercrime on the Rise: Sierra Leone Passes Cybersecurity and Crime Act into Law
Freetown, Sierra Leone - In a bid to combat the growing menace of cybercrime, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has passed the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021, ten years after signing the ECOWAS Directives to combat cyber-related crimes.
Key Provisions of the Law
- Provides a comprehensive legal framework to prevent, detect, prosecute, and punish cybercrimes
- Protects computer systems, networks, electronic communications, data, and intellectual property
- Facilitates international cooperation in dealing with cybercrime matters
According to Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Information and Communications, who tabled the bill, the Cybersecurity and Crime Act is a progressive piece of legislation that will promote security and stability in Sierra Leone’s cyberspace by providing an effective and enforceable national cybersecurity legal framework.
Capacity Building for Effective Implementation
As part of preparations for the implementation of this law, officials from the Ministry of Information and Communications participated in a judicial Training of Trainers (ToT) organized by the EU through ECOWAS. The training aimed to equip judges, magistrates, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors with the necessary skills to become trainers at the national level.
International Cooperation and Conventions
With this new law, Sierra Leone will begin the process of domesticating international conventions such as:
- Malabo Convention
- African Union Convention on Data Protection and Cybercrime
- Budapest Convention
This will enable the country to benefit from mutual legal assistance and international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
Global Significance
The passing of this law comes at a critical time when cybercrime is on the rise globally. Sierra Leone joins other countries in taking proactive steps to combat this growing threat and protect its citizens from increasing global cyber threats and cyber-attacks.