About Us
One Continent, One Vision, Cyber Security For All
History
Where We Come From
A few African Internet pioneers gathered in 1998 under the African Internet Group to discuss how to address specific issues facing the growth of the Internet in the African ecosystem including governance and capacity building.
Following that meeting, several organizations were launched, then known as African Organization of Internet Governance (AF*); the first two organizations created of the among the Af* were African Network Operator Group (AfNOG), and later the Africa Regional Internet Registry (AFRINIC).
During the 2010 edition of AfNOG and AfriNIC Workshop and Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, The African Forum of Computer Emergency Response Teams was officially launched on May 30, 2010.
The AfricaCERT was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 (Art 169) in Accra Ghana on July 9, 2012.
MISSION STATEMENT
The African Forum of Computer Emergency Response Teams (AfricaCERT) is a nonprofit organization founded to provide leadership in cybersecurity related issues in Africa. AfricaCERT is expected to assist in strengthening cyber readiness in African Internet Ecosystem.
The objectives of the African Forum of Computer Emergency Response Teams (AfricaCERT) are to assist African countries in establishing and operating Computer Security and Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) by providing expertise and advice in formulating initiatives, programs and projects related to the launch of CSIRTs in African countries and to encourage and support cooperation among teams in the Africa Internet Service Region.
VISION
One Continent, One Vision, One Team United in Promoting Cybersecurity in Africa.
MISSION
The AfricaCERT provides solutions to challenges for Internet Health in the African Internet Ecosystem. AfricaCERT provides a platform for collaboration and coordination. Participating in AfricaCERT enables Computer Security Incident Response Teams and alike organizations to more effectively respond to security incidents. As a Global Connector, of computer security incident response teams and alike organizations from all sectors, AfricaCERT fosters coordination, cooperation, and promotion of information sharing.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of AfricaCERT include, but are not restricted to:
- Coordinating cooperation and information exchange among CSIRTs, as well as supporting African cyber drills.
- Assisting African countries in establishing and operating CSIRTs by providing expertise and advice in formulating initiatives, programs and projects.
- Fostering and supporting education and outreach programs in ICT security among African countries. AfricaCERT is also expected to assist its members that do not have the necessary technical skills, knowledge and experience, to be able to conduct effective computer emergency response.
- Strengthening the relationships among CSIRTs in Africa and with other stakeholders all over the world. This will be achieved through building cooperation, trust and confidence among members and also with other international stakeholders for the effective coordination and management of security incidents.
- Encouraging information sharing in ICT security, which includes findings from reported incidents and case studies, so that vulnerabilities can be rapidly identified, and its risks mitigated. It is envisaged that AfricaCERT members will especially share experiences and jointly develop measures to deal with large-scale security incidents.
- Promoting good practices and experiences and sharing among members to develop a comprehensive framework for cybersecurity, including better addressing legal and regulatory issues related to information security, and for the prevention of cybercrimes, while acting in strengthening multilateral and bilateral cooperation and initiatives on such matters.
- Assisting African CSIRTs in improving cyber readiness and enhancing the resilience of ICT infrastructure and developing contingency plans.
- Promoting collaborative technology research, development and innovation in the ICT security field.
Brandon Yeald
Elijah Fahr
Liam Abels
Jacob Smith
Logan Abed
John William
Our Friends
Enabling us to enhance our capacity-building initiatives, facilitate information sharing, and promote a secure and resilient cyber environment across Africa
