Liberia Faces Threat of Cybercrime as Financial Sector Becomes Vulnerable

The Growing Concern of Cybercrime in Liberia

As the West African country continues to recover from years of civil war and the Ebola outbreak, Liberia is now facing a new threat: cybercrime. With an increasing reliance on broadband data services and mobile penetration, the country’s financial sector has become vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Vulnerability to Cyber-Attacks

• According to experts, Liberia’s two major telecommunication companies, MTN and Orange, have reported instances of cybercrime in recent years.
• In 2016, one of Liberia’s mobile operators was attacked with malware, causing disruptions to e-government applications and the financial sector.

Lack of Awareness and Legislation

Liberia’s vulnerability to cybercrime is compounded by a lack of awareness and legislation on the issue. While some entities have become cognizant of the need for public awareness campaigns, there is still no national legal framework in place to deal with cybercrime.

• The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has launched public awareness and sensitivity campaigns, but more needs to be done.
• The Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LIBTELCO) recently hosted a Cyber Security Forum to deliberate on the establishment of a national cyber-security strategy.

Draft Legislation and Training Needed

To address the issue of cybercrime, a draft law has been proposed by the Liberia Telecommunications Sector, which transposes provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act on Cyber Security. The final version is being reviewed and will be submitted to the National Legislature for enactment into law.

• In addition to legislation, there is a need for increased training in technical and legal human capacity to provide expertise in dealing with cybercrime.
• Technical assistance for trained Liberians in cyber-attack prevention and remedy is highly desired.

A Call to Action

As Liberia continues to rebuild its infrastructure and improve its ICT capabilities, it must also prioritize the development of legislation and human capacity to deal with the threat of cybercrime. The country must take a proactive approach to ensuring the security of its financial sector and e-government applications.

• By working together, Liberia can mitigate the effects of cyber-attacks and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in the digital age.