The U.S. State and Justice Departments are contributing to the First International Conference on the Internet, Cyber Security and Information Systems convening at the University of Gaborone in Botswana and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa this week, the State Department said Tuesday.
Thomas Dukes, U.S. Deputy Coordinator for Cyber Issues, will provide the keynote speech opening the conference. Dukes is set to be joined by Professor Bhekisipho Twala of the University of Johannesburg; George Patrick Ah-Thew, South African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat Directorate of Infrastructure and Services; and Linda Ott of Michigan Technological University. Other officials from the Government of Botswana and relevant university officials will join them as well.
Attendees of the conference include government officials from Botswana, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, and others countries. Regional organizations, including the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were invited to share their ideas on cybersecurity and cybercrime as well. International university distinguished guests, as well as U.S. government officials from the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security will also share their perspectives on cyber issues.
Major issues to be discussed at the conference include the future and emerging Internet, mobile applications, social networks, data and information security, e-commerce, e-governance, cybercrime, cybersecurity, health informatics, intelligent systems, high performance computing, and other concerns.
The conference website said “cyber security experts will discuss topics such as protecting individuals and companies against cyber-attacks, cyber security in the Internet of Things age, biometrics as the future of security, risks brought by mobile computing, and protecting corporate and national infrastructure against foreign attacks.”
The conference also calls for original research papers that will be double blind reviewed and selected based on technical novelty, integrity of the analysis and social impacts and practical relevance.
The State Department said cybersecurity issues are increasingly relevant to sub-Saharan Africa because as the internet and mobile phones expand there, countries are wrestling with how to respond to increasing cyber threats while simultaneously promoting new technologies to contribute to stronger democratic institutions, economic growth, advancing peace, and promoting development.
“Strong cybersecurity practices enable everyone to enjoy the full benefits of information and communication technology while staying safe online,” the State Department said in a statement before the start of the conference.
The department highlighted the conference “builds on previous engagement with the Government of Botswana and other key African stakeholders in support of our mutual goals of promoting cybersecurity, combatting cybercrime, and advocating for an Internet that continues to allow people of every nation and background to communicate, cooperate, and prosper like never before.”