Summary of the Cisco Cybersecurity Experience Centre Launch at The University of Nairobi
Key Players:
- Cisco
- C4DLAB, The University of Nairobi (UoN)
- Kenyan Government (represented by ICT Ministry)
Project Goals:
- Accelerate knowledge and training in cybersecurity
- Utilize cutting-edge AI and VR technologies
- Enhance Kenya’s cybersecurity defenses
- Foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government
Centre Highlights:
- Showcase latest cyber defense solutions using AI and VR
- Hub for knowledge and innovation
- Part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program
Overall Significance:
This collaboration represents a major step forward in strengthening Kenya’s cybersecurity posture by equipping the nation with the knowledge, skills, and technology to combat cyber threats.
Nairobi, Kenya: Cisco, a global leader in cybersecurity technology and C4DLab (The University of Nairobi [UoN] on 26th April, 2024, launched a futuristic cybersecurity project at the lab at Chiromo Campus.
Call it the mother of all collaborations, and we would understand. The label is well-fitting, for nothing else suffices when you bring together a global leader in cybersecurity technology and the region’s top digital technology university on such a grand initiative.
The collaboration, which will see the acceleration of knowledge and training for skills in the cybersecurity domain using cutting-edge AI and virtual reality technologies, culminated in the opening of a Cisco Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the C4DLab, Department of Computing and Informatics.
The high-powered three-hour event began at 9.00am, and was presided over by the Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Eliud Owalo, who cut the ribbon to herald a future of secure cyber space in the interest of Kenya’s digital economy.
In attendance were the Cisco Executive Vice-President (People Policy and Purpose), Ms. Francine Katsoudas; ICT Authority CEO, Mr. Stanley Kamanguya; the VC University of Nairobi, Prof. Stephen Kiama; Prof. John Onyari, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology; Prof. Andrew Kahonge, Chairman, Department of Computing and Informatics; Prof. Elisha Abade, C4DLab; Cisco Country Manager, Ms. Shain Rahim; and a sizable number from the larger Cisco team.
Cisco Kenya Manager, Ms. Shahin Rahim, made the opening remarks, hailing the occasion as a remarkable milestone: “This event marks a significant achievement in our nations to make Kenya’s cyberspace safer and more resilient.”
Ms. Rahim said the decision to partner with the university is motivated by the realization that it is critical to involve the academia, industry, and government “to build sustainable, secure and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions.”
She set out the intention of the global technology giant, explaining the importance of the Centre: “With the opening of this centre, Cisco affirms its commitment to bolstering Kenya’s cyber defence through skill building programmes and training.”
The centre will be a hub of knowledge and innovation to showcase “the latest cyber defense technology solutions using AI and Virtual Reality technologies,” said Ms. Rahim. This is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme seeking to drive digital acceleration and economic growth. She also recognized all the partners who had contributed to the actualizing of “the ambitious project” and emphasized the continued value of collaboration to deliver on the project objectives.
“Together we’ll embark on a journey towards a safer digital future for Kenya, leveraging technology and interventions for generations to come,” she said.
Cisco Country Manager, Ms. Shain Rahim, delivers the opening remarks at the launch of Cisco’s Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the Department of Computing and Informatics.
Prof. Elisha Abade, C4DLab, like the Cisco Kenya Manager before him, placed emerging technologies at the centre of the day’s discourse. He referenced the recent Africa Connect Summit. “I was at the AfricaConnect Summit representing the C4DLab and The University of Nairobi, and I want to confirm that the summit centred on Cybersecurity, AI, Virtual Reality, Blockchain and related technologies. Thus, the C4Lab and The UoN are happy to be associated with Cisco in championing such initiatives.
Prof. Andrew Kahonge, observed that the launch of the centre has been a highly anticipated event, adding that it is the first of its kind in Africa and would raise the rank of the university of Nairobi.
Turning to the significance of the Centre, he said, “We do offer cyber security courses but we realize that we cannot make it on our own. There is a great demand for cybersecurity experts in Kenya and the whole of Africa. He saw it as an opportunity to bring the academia and the industry together, taking advantage of Cisco’s industry leadership in cybersecurity to enrich the curriculum.
Prof. John Onyari, Dean Faculty of Science and Technology, said that the faculty (particularly C4DLab) is proud to associate with Cisco in the initiative, the Cybersecurity Experience Centre, which is the first of its kind in Africa.
“The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overemphasized in today’s digital economy,” said Prof. Onyari. He was upbeat about the project, noting that “this collaboration will greatly benefit our staff, students as well as innovators within the DCI and the C4DLab, and positively contribute to the nation and the vision of the Faculty of Science and Technology as well as the University of Nairobi.”
The Department of Computing and Informatics, he observed, would have the faculty depth to deliver the training under the progam. C4DLab, he elaborated, was involved in various digital innovation initiatives including cybersecurity, and in the area of digital economy. Some of the staff were already immersed in research in numerous emerging areas of information and communication technology, and the digital economy.
UoN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, expressed his excitement about the partnership, and noted that it fits perfectly with and furthers the university’s strategic ambition (in the recently finalized 5-year strategic plan) to be a globally competitive university transforming society, something that needs partnering with the industry to achieve.
Expressing confidence in the existing depth of faculty needed to drive the programme, he emphasized its value proposition. “Therefore, this partnership with Cisco is very important, not least because digitalization puts data acquisition and utilization at the centre stage which means the need to assure people of security,” he said.
UoN VC-Prof. Stephen Kiama makes a presentation at the launch of Cisco’s Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the Department of Computing and Informatics.
Cisco’s Executive Vice-President, Francine Katsoudas highlighted importance of the PS’ presence at the event, not least because “whether it is the academia or business, we all feel accountability to society.” She explained further that this is the shared interest that gives meaning to Cisco’s partnership with the Kenya government.
Ms. Katsoudas put the need to fill the cybersecurity skills gap at the heart of the Cisco-C4DLab project and was also quick to point out that global statistics show fewer (only 9%) women in the cybersecurity domain and called upon the participants to make an effort to shore up the numbers through the programme.
It did not escape mention either that Cisco-C4DLab partnership also melds with the US cybersecurity priorities, even as she reflected on how Cisco Network Academy had impacted the lives of some of the leaders currently involved in the project, and was ecstatic that the work at the Edge Centre would impact even more lives. Now with the impending work at the Edge Centre, they are bound to impact even more lives in a cycle that Cisco hopes to create in keeping with its purpose of “Powering an inclusive future for all.
Relatedly, she ended by sounding an ethical note that summarizes Cisco’s attitude: “You don’t have to make a choice between doing good business and doing good for the world. You can do both.”
Cisco VP-People, Policy and Purpose, Ms. Francine Katsoudas, makes a presentation at the launch of Cisco’s Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the Department of Computing and Informatics.
Mr. Stanley Kamanguya, CEO, ICT Authority of Kenya lauded Cisco for actuating the vision of a cybersecurity centre, linking it to the government agenda. He said, “The government has a very ambitious plan to digitize the country in order for us to grow the digital economy,” and that was likely to make the citizens and the entire country vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Thus it “is critical,” he pointed out, “to consider how to build resilient systems to protect our citizens, and the government data and all other private entities. So systems security is a fundamental issue. Thus, we appreciate this collaboration.”
He went on to observe that the collaboration is a “game changer” for two main reasons. One, the training envisaged would help bridge the skills gap among graduates. Why There is a prevailing concern by industry players as they perceive that the graduates do not meet their expectations.
The expectations are not met because “the trainings in the universities are not integrated with market solutions,” he said. Accordingly, “this initiative comes to close this divide and to ensure that our students are ready and alive to the challenges they are going to meet, ” he added. Then, he painted the collaboration as an opportunity to enhance capacity in research, “especially around cyber security, since technology is moving very fast and innovations around digital solutions become an opportunity for cybercrimes.”
The centre therefore comes in handy to enable the leveraging of the data in the country and drawing from the experiences of other countries to really provide solutions that are research-based through collaborations with universities. The CEO assured Cisco and the university of the Authority’s support, more so in terms of incubation in the cybersecurity domain.
ICT Authority CEO, ,Mr. Stanley Kamanguya, makes a presentation at the launch of Cisco’s Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the Department of Computing and Informatics.
In his address, Chief Guest Eng. John Tanui highlighted a critical and emerging global issue through the partnership between Cisco and the C4DLab. He recognized the university as a hub for talented minds and expressed his pleasure at their growing presence in the digital sphere. The launch of the Data Science Lab last year and the current collaboration with Cisco were cited as prime examples.
Eng. Tanui lauded the initiative as a way to take the country to the next level of digital awareness and capability. He said: “As a country, we are putting technology at the centre of our economic development.” With the country’s economic transformation agenda pegged on five areas of Agriculture and Inclusive growth; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) Economy; Housing and Settlement; Healthcare; and Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy, the programme aligns “neatly” with the development ambitions. This is clearly evident in the fact that a thriving digital space is also an enabler of the other four points of focus.
The PS added that as the world continues to heave under the weight of increscent cybersecurity threats corollary of fast-paced advances in digitalization, global tech giants are flexing their muscles and showcasing their readiness to respond and secure the data utilization spaces. He pointed to the launch of the Cisco Cybersecurity Technology Experience Centre, a unique program, as a prime example.
“The Cisco Cybersecurity Technology Experience Centre is a state-of-the-art facility offering comprehensive cybersecurity training and showcasing the latest technological solutions.” It aims to cultivate national talent in entrepreneurship, cybersecurity and digital technology.” Cisco’s “Edge Innovate program” fosters innovation to drive economic growth through creation of jobs, while “Cisco’s Edge Educate program” empowers communities through technology and education.
PS ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, delivers the keynote address at the launch of Cisco’s Cybersecurity Experience Centre at the Department of Computing and Informatics.
In a brief statement towards the end of the event, Ms. B. A. Robinson, The Coordinator of Prosper Africa US, said that cybersecurity is a US national security agenda, and so the collaboration marked a critical step in working with partners who are as conscious about the myriad of threats in digital space and are keen on employing practicable interventions to deal with them.
Prosper Africa US is the US Presidential National Security Initiative aimed at strengthening the strategic and economic partnership between the U.S. and countries throughout Africa by creating new jobs, diversifying global supply chains and investing in the continent’s infrastructure and digital transformation.
The Coordinator of Prosper Africa US, Ms. B. A. Robinson, has a word with PS ICT and the Digital Economy, Emg. John Tanui at the newly launched Edge Centre, C4DLab. Looking on from left: Secretary of information and communications technology (ICT) security and audit control at the ministry, Emmanuel Kata; CEO, ICT Authority, Mr. Stanley Kmanguya; and Chairman, Dept. of Computing and Informatics, The UoN, Prof. A. Kahonge.
The event ended with ribbon cutting and a guided tour of the renovated C4DLab featuring the latest technology in AI and Virtual Reality, including top-of-the-range smart screens and routers.
From left: ICT and Digital Economy PS, Eng. J. Tanui gets a feel of the cutting edge technology, including virtual reality, at the Edge Centre, C4DLab, as the UoN VC, Prof. Stephen Kiama; and ICT Authority CEO, Stanley Kamanguya, look on.
The Cybersecurity Experience Centre is part of Cisco’s CDA programme in Kenya, founded in 2023. Working collaboratively with Cisco’s Networking Academy, CDA has operated in Kenya for more than 20 years, and trained at least 130,000 people in networking, cybersecurity, programing and other digital skills. At the centre of activities of CDA and the Networking Academy is the commitment to power an inclusive future for all. Together their programmes aim to empower communities worldwide through technology and education.
Cisco’s CDA global programme collaborates with government and private sector leaders to build sustainable, secure, and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions. Currently programme boasts of more than 1,600 active or completed projects in 50 countries, where it is creating new value for participating countries, their industries, and their residents. You can learn more about the programme at: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/country-digital-acceleration.html
About Cisco and C4DLab
Cisco is a worldwide technology leader, whose purpose is to power an inclusive future for all through software, networking, security, computing, and more. The company is headquartered in San Jose, California. It is a leading networking company mostly famed for the manufacture and vending of networking equipment. The company also provides software and offers related services.
C4DLab is a prototyping and innovative start-up incubation lab at the Department of Computing and Informatics, The UoN. The Lab was founded in 2013, as the first phase of a bigger complex CC4D (Center of Computing for Development) to be built at the school. The lab works with the entire university community, with a reach to a community of more than 70,000 people, including faculty, students, staff, and alumni.