Burkina Faso Confronts Cybercrime Menace with ECOWAS, EU, and Expertise France Support
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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), European Union, and Expertise France have joined forces to combat the growing threat of cybercrime in the financial sector of Burkina Faso. As part of the “Organised Crime: West African Response on Cybersecurity and Fight Against Cybercrime” project, they handed over equipment to the country’s digital investigation laboratory.
Strengthening Cybersecurity in West Africa
The project aims to strengthen cybersecurity in West Africa by providing specialized equipment and training to member states. The move is a crucial step towards combating the rising threat of cybercrime, which has resulted in significant financial losses for many countries in the region.
Cybercrime Statistics in Burkina Faso
According to statistics, Burkina Faso suffered significant financial losses due to cybercrime activities in 2020 alone, with estimates suggesting that the country lost over 1 billion CFA francs. This is a stark reminder of the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against these threats.
Interactive Digital Hygiene Awareness Workshop
The equipment delivery was accompanied by an interactive digital hygiene awareness workshop, which brought together officials from various ministries and agencies, as well as experts from Expertise France. The event aimed to raise public awareness about the risks posed by cybercrime and provide recommendations on how to combat it.
Recommendations for Combating Cybercrime
- Phishing: Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Disinformation: Verify information before sharing it online.
- Malware infiltration: Keep software and operating systems up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Commissioner’s Warning
Commissioner of Telecommunications and Information Technologies at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Zouli Bonkoungou, emphasized that the increasing use of digital technologies has led to an surge in malicious activities. “These attacks result in huge financial losses for our countries,” he warned.
Minister’s Gratitude
Minister of Digital Economy, Posts, and Digital Transformation, Ms. Hadja Fatimata Ouattara, expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission and European Union for their support. She highlighted that cybercrime costs the global economy over $500 billion annually, underscoring the need for collective action to combat this menace.
Ambassador’s Remarks
Ambassador Wolfram Vetter, Head of Delegation in Burkina Faso, noted that the country is one of three pilot countries selected for the implementation of a digital forensic laboratory. The specialized equipment handed over will enable Burkina Faso to enhance its capacity to investigate security incidents and fight cybercrime.
Support for Other Countries
The ECOWAS Commission, European Union, and Expertise France have also committed to providing support to three other countries - Gambia and Liberia - which will benefit from this pilot phase of the transfer of digital investigation equipment.