By Mohamed Macarthy
The Political Science Department, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone on the 1st December, 2021 introduced a Cyber- Crime /Cyber Security Centre at the University’s Committee Room in Freetown.
The establishment of the centre came in the wake of growing concerns of misuse of the internet in the country. The Head of the Political Science Department, Rev.Fr. Dr. Leonard O. Bangura said cyber bullying and other related crimes have taken centre stage. He said the current government has even gone to the extent of taking prompt action against such a problem by enacting the act which will address the issue of internet abuse.
He noted that cyber-crime is becoming a worrisome issue and as such, they as lecturers have decided to have it being included in their curriculum and said the centre will serve as a Sub Unit to the Political Science Department.
Dr. Bangura said that the centre if given adequate resources and support by concerned authorities will see cybercrime minimized drastically. He said the centre will be offering short- term courses that will build human capacity and create awareness in the fight against cyber-crime.
Dr. Abdul Kamara, a senior lecturer at the Political Science Department noted that the facility is neither going to be dominated by Engineering lecturers nor lecturers from the Law Department as every other department will be incorporated in ensuring that the centre becomes very efficient and effective in delivering quality service to the nation.
He said that the facility is at an infancy stage and craved the indulgence of all to come on board for its development.
According to him, courses to be offered include Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Awareness, Internet Governance, Economic Growth and Infrastructure in the Cyber Space. Combating Cyber Terrorism and Internet Safety and Protection of Vulnerable People are the other courses the centre will provide.
Police Commissioner Joseph Lahai and Head of the Scientific Support Department, gave an overview of the growing concerns following the establishment of Police Cyber Unit. Commissioner Lahai said that in early 2000s with the introduction of mobile phones, SLP started receiving huge complaints with regards cyber bullying and attacks.
He said traditional means were not enough to tackle crime, owing to the fact that the crime rate was growing exponentially. Commissioner Lahai noted that SLP only started receiving professional trainings when they started sending some of their personnel abroad. He commended the Political Science Department for such move and rest assured the college is poised to work with them in whatever circumstances. He said that the centre will be more relevant to SLP than any other profession.
Speaking on behalf of the Republic Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Brigadier General Ronnie Harleston said cyber-crime is an apparent threat to the globe and not just Sierra Leone, adding that for them as soldiers, they believe it is a welcome development that resonates with the global call to continue studying the internet on contemporary issues with the view to promote common understanding.
Brigadier Harleston noted that the United Nation General Assembly is greatly concerned about how cyber-crime can be handled with domestic security. He said that over the years, they had agreed that cyber operations on integrity and functional developments on the internet have shown profound threats that have the tendency to undermine the security of most countries.
Copyright © Politico Online 03/12/21
