The National Cybersecurity Policy 2021 of Sierra Leon
March 2021
Strategies and Action Plans
Author: Ministry of Information and Communications
The National Cybersecurity Policy 2021 of Sierra Leone, developed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, is a comprehensive framework aimed at securing the nation’s digital infrastructure and fostering a safe cyberspace for its citizens and institutions. Here’s a summary of the key elements of the policy:
The policy recognises the critical importance of cybersecurity in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation. It aims to update the 2016 National Cybersecurity Policy to address emerging challenges and ensure effective digital infrastructure protection.
Vision and mission
- Vision: To create a credible and secure cyberspace that supports national interests and enables citizens to harness socioeconomic opportunities online safely.
- Mission: To deter cybercrimes, protect critical digital infrastructure, develop national cybersecurity capabilities, and strengthen cooperation to support a robust digital economy.
The Policy document has five pillars in line with ITU model as prescribed by the Global Cybersecurity Agenda as follows:
- Legal policy pillar: This pillar focuses on legal issues needed to be addressed to ensure that cybersecurity in Sierra Leone is fully addressed.
- Technical policy pillar: This pillar focuses on the Government’s commitment to establishing technical operations to address cybersecurity challenges such as incident handling, forensics, and critical information infrastructure protection.
- Organisation policy pillar: This pillar focuses on the Government’s commitment to setting up an institutional arrangement to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of cybersecurity initiatives in Sierra Leone.
- Capacity building pillar: This pillar focuses on the Government’s determination to create awareness amongst citizens and promote cybersecurity capacity, education, and training within the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society.
- Cooperation policy pillar: This policy pillar focuses on ensuring that the Government works with t h the private sector through a Public-Private Partnership to address cybersecurity issues, harmonise Sierra Leone’s legal test and fight against cybercrime with neighbouring countries in the sub-region and international partners.
Institutional framework
The policy proposes the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Advisory Council and a Technical Working Group to provide strategic and operational leadership in implementing cybersecurity initiatives.
Implementation strategy
The policy will be operationalised under the oversight of the Ministry of Information and Communications, using a multistakeholder approach to develop strategic action plans addressing the identified challenges.