LONDON, November 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The Global Cyber ​​Alliance (GCA) today announced its participation in the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Digital Access Program (DAP).
The digital access program
Through its Digital Access Program (DAP), FCDO is now working with five countries – Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Indonesia – to improve secure, secure and equitable digital access. Supported by UK Aid from Conflict, Stability and Security Fund1, the DAP is the largest cyber capacity building program ever launched by the UK government abroad.
DAP promotes affordable digital connectivity while building confidence in digital systems and resilience to cyber threats. The DAP thus contributes to the overall vision of the FCDO of ‘thriving and open digital societies powered by trusted technologies, with the UK leading efforts to maintain a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace. ‘
The three pillars of the DAP
Pillar 1 aims to help partner countries improve access to digital technology, reduce poverty and stimulate inclusive economic growth by bringing poor and excluded populations into the digital economy.
Pillar 2 strengthens defenses against cyber threats that affect governments, businesses and citizens, especially those who are particularly vulnerable to online abuse or exploitation. Pillar 2 initially executes 14 projects, including helping the Nigerian police to develop their digital forensics capacity; propose the new Brazilian school curriculum in cybersecurity; develop Indonesia’s national cybersecurity strategy; and improve the capacity of South African police to prosecute cybercriminals and tackle online child exploitation.
Pillar 3 supports digital entrepreneurship through a network of Tech Hubs.
GCA is engaged under Pillar 2 alongside KPMG and local partners, providing dedicated local resources and free tools from the GCA Cyber ​​Security Toolkit for small businesses in South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria, for example, expects to see an additional 100 million people go online for the first time in the next five years. In doing so, Pillar 2 projects will help ensure that the cyberspace they encounter is more free, open and secure.
Overall, the ambition is to build a sustainable capacity that enables partner national governments to better protect their citizens online or defend their critical national infrastructure against cyber threats.
Terry Wilson, Director of Global Partnership at GCA, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of the Digital Access Program, a vital capacity building program led by the UK government. SCM offers real, usable and impactful solutions to help protect the millions of people around the world who are vulnerable, underserved and without vital resources but who have everything to lose. Our involvement in this program is testament to our commitment to making the connected world safer and more secure for everyone. ‘
Richard Krishnan, Senior Program Partner, KPMG said: “The DAP is a way to help middle-income countries keep pace with the changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are delighted to be working alongside the Global Cyber ​​Alliance and to include the resources provided by GCA in our work supporting small businesses in South Africa and Nigeria. ‘
Jemima Hodkinson, Digital Access Program Manager at FCDO, added: “The SCM Toolkit of Free Resources will enable South African and Nigerian SMEs to defend themselves against cyber attacks. Cyber ​​security is a smart investment – cyber threats can impose significant costs on SMEs. We hope that these free resources will encourage all SMEs to take the time to secure their businesses and livelihoods. We are working in partnership with South African and Nigerian non-governmental organizations to reach the widest possible audience for the toolkits, including priority groups such as women business owners or young entrepreneurs. ‘
1The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund’s inter-HMG ‘Digital Access Program’ aims to catalyze more inclusive, affordable, safe and secure digital access for excluded and underserved communities in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia. Increased digital inclusion in program countries will form the basis for more thriving digital ecosystems that generate highly skilled jobs, opportunities for local digital entrepreneurship focused on country-specific development challenges, as well as potential partnerships with international and UK companies aiming at mutual prosperity. The digital access program will also focus on learning about sustainable models and enablers of digital inclusion. Lessons will be shared with key stakeholders and other partner countries, thus amplifying the impact of the program. https://cybilportal.org/projects/digital-access-programme-trust-resilience/
About the Global Cyber ​​Alliance:
The Global Cyber ​​Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to reducing cyber risks and improving our connected world. We achieve our mission by uniting global communities, implementing concrete solutions and measuring effect. GCA, a 501 (c) (3) in the United States and a non-profit organization in the United Kingdom and Belgium, was founded in September 2015 by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, City Police of London and the Center for Internet Security. Learn more about www.globalcyberalliance.org.
Contact at GCA:
Gill thomas
Director of Engagement
Capacity and Resilience Program
Global Cyber ​​Alliance
press@globalcyberalliance.org
