The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) have partnered to tackle emerging threats in Africa, including cybercrime and cybersecurity which are on the increase especially mobile and web-based technology.
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalising the collaboration on 8 September 2014.
‘Our research and training has shown the growing need in Africa to secure cyberspace’, said Anton du Plessis, managing director of the ISS. ‘Our collaboration with UNIDIR is a step towards achieving this.’
The MOU outlines principles of cooperation and provides for collaboration on existing and new projects. The ISS and UNIDIR have both identified threats to cyberspace as a key emerging risk that requires a multifaceted response. Joint projects on cybersecurity will allow each to expand its work in a field that remains fairly new for Africa.
‘A partnership with UNIDIR, which will draw on their new Cyber Index, enables us to tackle this growing challenge with the benefit of international expertise’ said du Plessis. The Cyber Index is a research initiative aimed at supporting more informed decision-making on international peace and security issues for cyber policy. The Index will deliver a new knowledge resource on cyber concerns at the national, regional, and international levels.
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