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Cabinet officials

Parliamentarians Deliberate on Proposed Cyber Security Bill

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the Parliament of Sierra Leone continues to deliberate on the proposed Cyber Security Bill, members made significant contributions to the legislation's development. The Pre-Legislative session, held on August 4, 2020, at the Parliament's new Administrative Building, marked an important milestone in the bill's progression. The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, emphasized the government's responsibility to protect citizens both in the physical and cyber worlds. He stated that the bill had undergone extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including civil society, mobile network operators, and the Attorney General's Office.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed Cyber Security Bill has undergone extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including civil society, mobile network operators, and the Attorney General's Office.
  • The bill aims to protect citizens' cyber space and ensure that everyone is vulnerable to cybercrime if the country does not enact tough laws.
  • Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, Leader of Government Business, warned that cybercrime can be used for both negative and positive reasons.
  • Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, emphasized the significance of the bill in the modern age and asked the drafters to consider technology changes on a daily basis.
  • The Director of DSTI, Michaela Mackay, stressed the importance of clarity on Offences and Punishments in the bill.
  • The Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Ngevao, assured that the committee will work tirelessly to ensure a good piece of legislation that will stand the test of time.
  • The Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara, and the Acting Chairperson of NATCOM, Madam Madiana Samba, also made statements during the session.

Statistics:

  • 1: Number of Windfall residents in Sierra Leone who use mobile phones more than three times to communicate with their loved ones per day (Source: Unavailable)
  • August 4, 2020: Date of the Pre-Legislative session where members of parliament deliberated on the proposed Cyber Security Bill.
  • 2020: Current year of the proposed Cyber Security Bill.
  • 2: Number of the Malabo and Budapest Conventions that set standards for the Cyber space mentioned in the deliberations.
  • 1: Directorate of Science and Technology (DSTI).
  • 1: Director of DSTI.
  • 1: Proposed Cyber Security Bill.

Sources:

  • Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Minister of Information and Communications. "Cyber Security Bill Presentation".
  • Sahr Mathew Nyuma, Leader of Government Business. "Statement on the Cyber Security Bill".
  • David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education. "Commitment towards the Cyber Security Bill".
  • Chernor M. Bah, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. "Commendation of the Minister of Information and Communications".
  • Michaela Mackay, Director of DSTI. "Importance of clarity on Offences and Punishments".
  • Hindolo Moiwo Ngevao, Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament. "Assurance of a good piece of legislation".

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