Establishment of a CERT (MWCERT) in Malawi

Summary

This project aims to develop the Republic of Malawi’s national cybersecurity capacity by establishing computer response teams.

Details

Aim

The main goal of the project is to assist the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to establish its National Computer Emergency Response Team (MWCERT), to serve as a trusted, central coordination point of contact for cybersecurity, aimed at identifying, defending, responding and managing cyber threats.

Outcome

ITU will assist MACRA in building and deploying the technical capabilities and related trainings necessary to establish its National CERT. Thus it is expected to lead to the development of national cybersecurity capacity while moving forward on enhancing regional and international collaboration.

Additionally, NRD Cyber Security is working to establish a National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) in order to:

• Create a functioning national CIRT that provides its constituents with a basic set of services
• Build human capacity at the national level in the field of cybersecurity and train future CIRT staff on CIRT operations and incident response
• Improve the national preparedness on the identification, prevention, response and resolution of cybersecurity incidents at identified constituents of the CIRT
• Ensure the utilisation and operation of the CIRT by building an effective and efficient capability that is ready to respond to cyber threats
• Assist the country with the development of awareness programmes to improve cybersecurity posture of the identified constituents
• Increase the ability to enact security measures and deploy effective responses when security incidents occur

Activities

Activities to establish a CIRT team by NRD Cyber Security included reviewing and updating the design of the CIRT, followed by establishment and subsequent training.