Cyber crimes have been on the increase over the years in Cameroon, with 3 billion FCFA lost to fraudsters in 2015. Cyber criminality is not only a real threat to Cameroun, but also to most African states, observers note. Given the gravity of the problem, Cameroon Tribune is beginning an awareness serial on what cyber criminality entails and how it can be prevented or at least curbed.
As part of efforts to combat this ever-growing threat - which does not only tarnish the image of the country, but also deprives many of their hard-earned earnings - the authorities and partners have also been sensitising the public. It is in this light that a Cape Verde-based firm, Competences Lda, yesterday, September 26, 2016, in Yaounde, began training security and other national stakeholders. Holding at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, the workshop is organised in partnership with Microsoft.
Participants are police, gendarmerie and customs officials. The awareness-building workshop covers issues of cyber security and the fight against cyber crime. Organisers say workshop participants will be trained on topics such as the challenges of cyber crime, terrorist recruitment and propaganda on social networks, the establishment and organisation of a fighting service against cyber crime, and analyses of big data and crime (forensics.) The workshop is an opportunity for participants to familiarise themselves with the challenges of fighting cyber crime and the tools to efficiently and effectively tackle the phenomenon.
Competences Lda guides clients on genuine autonomy by transferring technical knowledge adapted to the realities of the African continent. Created in 2004 with headquarters in Praia, Cape Verde, the firm’s primary area of activity is cyber security. It operates only in the government sphere – the training of police, gendarmerie, customs, Special Forces, special services and the Armed Forces.