The recent years have seen significant rise in cyberthreats across the globe with individuals and businesses of all tiers falling victims to the raging cyber attacks.
A report by PurpleSec indicates a 600% rise in cybercrime globally, largely contributed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which among many things has led to; Work from home policies and excessive spread of fake news. According to the Uganda Police Force, Criminal Investigation Department, the reported cases of losses attributed to cybercrime stood at approximately $4.5m for the year 2020
Experts agree that the number one weapon for combating cybercrime is education of the masses. The more informed the masses are about the impact of cybercrime and how it’s orchestrated the easier it becomes for organisations and individuals to protect themselves. Simply put, “We have to make the people our first line of defense”. This is why the October Cybersecurity Awareness Month was established.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) was launched by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in October 2004 as a broad effort to help all Americans stay safer and more secure online. When Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) first began, the awareness efforts centered around advice like updating your antivirus software twice a year to mirror similar efforts around changing batteries in smoke alarms during daylight saving time among others.
Today the initiative has been embraced globally with governments and private institutions across the World running various awareness activities aimed at disseminating knowledge about cyberthreats.
Milima Security, Milima Cyber Academy and partners will be joining the rest of the World in conducting various cybersecurity awareness activities across Uganda and East Africa in order to create awareness of the raging impact of cyberthreats.
This document provides details of the scheduled activities, timelines and key participants.
