The technological device was launched on Tuesday 9 January 2024 in Abidjan by the Ivorian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ARTCI) at the headquarters of the public body.
CyberCAN23 is a cybersecurity system set up as part of the 34th African Cup of Nations football tournament, which Cote d’Ivoire will host from 13 January to 11 February 2024, said Ms Namahoua Touré, Director General of ARTCI.
The organisation of such a showpiece poses enormous challenges, including cybersecurity, in a context of increasing digitalisation and the development of internet infrastructures.
The 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea was the target of a malicious software cyberattack that affected data centres, causing problems with ticket printing and disrupting the wifi network and radio frequencies.
The World Cup in Qatar and the recent African Cup of Nations were not spared. For ARTCI’s Director General, this calls for “vigilance and anticipation, and it is with this in mind that the CyberCAN23 initiative was launched.”
The aim of this system is to help protect goods, data and users in cyberspace during the organisation of AfCON 2023, she stressed. ARTCI is involved in the fight against cybercrime in collaboration with the Ivorian national police.
All these elements are signs of the unwavering commitment of the country’s authorities to offer the people of Côte d’Ivoire, and all those who will set foot on Ivorian soil, the finest festival of continental football.
Narcisse Ekissi, representing the Minister of Digital Transition and Digitisation, praised “the proactive initiative of ARTCI, which, aware of the challenges we face, has developed this robust and innovative cybersecurity system.”
“In this digital age, where borders have become virtual and threats evolve at lightning speed, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the tools and resources needed to guarantee a safe environment for all those involved in this event,” he added.
“This system will enable us to protect not only the critical infrastructure associated with the CAN, but also the personal data of participants, supporters and all those who contribute to the success of this event,” he added.
He pointed out that “cyber security is not limited to the implementation of advanced technologies, but also requires close cooperation between the various players, whether public or private.”
ARTCI has a Cyber Security Incident Response and Monitoring Centre (CI-CERT), created in 2009. The centre has set up a reporting platform to anticipate security risks in national cyberspace.
AP/lb/as/APA