Kenya is prioritising the security of records and data that could be accessed through the internet as part of efforts to protect its growing digital economy.

The government this week collaborated with Huawei to complete the training of more than 200 of its officers on cloud computing security. The intense workshop builds on previous training in cybersecurity governance.

Internal security and national administration principal secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo told the graduates that with increased digitalisation, government systems become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches.

Speaking while officially closing the Cloud Computing Security training for Government officers in collaboration with Huawei, Dr Omollo said cloud environments are attractive targets for cybercriminals.

He underlined the importance of secure cloud technology in combating threats like hacking, data breaches, and ransomware attacks.

“The adoption of cloud technology is no longer an option but a necessity for governments, businesses and organizations globally. However, with these advancements come heightened risks to data security, privacy, and integrity. Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and the need for robust cloud security measures has never been more critical,” he said.

Huawei Kenya’s deputy CEO for public pffairs, Steven Zhang highlighted that the initiative will bolster cybersecurity in Kenya as it is part of a long-term partnership focused on training government officials to enhance their knowledge and skills.

As arguably the biggest digital economy player in Africa, Kenya is keen to mitigate against cyber risks that come with technological advancement, including attacks that pose danger to critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

Dr Omollo said the digital economy is a key pillar of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda that had seen the Government automate more than 19,000 services on the e-Citizen platform.

“Any lapse in cybersecurity could cause disruptions in delivery of essential online services,” he said.

It is against this background that he said Kenya expected all its government departments to implement strong cybersecurity measures to protect data, secure communication networks, and defend sensitive information against cyber threats.

Congratulating the graduates, Dr Mollos urged them to continue updating their skills as technology was dynamic.

“You are now part of a community of government experts empowered to take charge in building secure and resilient digital environments,” he said.

Zhang underscored Huawei’s continued commitment to Kenya as a partner in the digital economy and cyber space.