SecDev’s Mission to Liberia: Advancing Cybersecurity in a Digital Age

On July 2, SecDev concluded its second assignment to Liberia in support of the World Bank. The mission’s primary objective was to assist the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in preparing a National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS). This initiative represents a significant step in SecDev’s expanding portfolio of cybersecurity capacity-building projects for governments worldwide.

The draft National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) marks a defining moment for Liberia. As the country continues on the path of digital development a clear cybersecurity framework becomes indispensable. The strategy aims to provide a sustainable and effective blueprint to safeguard Liberia’s digital environment, ensuring that the benefits of digital development are not undermined by cyber threats.

The draft NCS is structured to address immediate and short-term needs from 2024 to 2026, while also laying the groundwork for medium and long-term arrangements from 2027 to 2029 and beyond. The proposed strategy is built on three strategic pillars:

• Build: Establish an effective governance model and create and enable a policy, legal, and regulatory environment.
• Secure: Enhance national incident response capacity, strengthen national cyber readiness, and fortify operational capacity to combat cybercrime.
• Sustain: Improve national cybersecurity education, promote cybersecurity awareness, advance international cooperation, and use regulatory levers to create a marketplace for cybersecurity in Liberia.

A key innovation is leveraging the authority of regulators in critical infrastructure sectors, including banking, energy, and telecommunications, to stimulate the development of a domestic cybersecurity ecosystem in Liberia. This approach aims to embed cybersecurity practices deeply within the country’s most vital sectors, spurring a demand for local cybersecurity expertise and jobs for Liberians.

A key component of SecDev’s mission was conducting? stakeholder consultations. These engagements are part of the process of formulating a strategy that reflects the diverse needs and perspectives within Liberia’s digital ecosystem. By involving a broad range of stakeholders—from government officials to private sector representatives and civil society—the strategy aims to be inclusive, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.

The mission to Liberia was led by Rafal Rohozinski Kumar Bekbolotov and?Sophia Anong.

SecDev’s Commitment to Global Cybersecurity Capacity Building

SecDev’s work in Liberia is part of a broader commitment to supporting the growth and security of the digital ecosystem worldwide. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies is more pressing than ever. SecDev’s current efforts in Liberia, Costa Rica, Kosovo, North Macedonia, South Asia and Canada are a testament to our mission to strengthen cybersecurity capacity for governments, critical infrastructure operators and the wider communities of stakeholders, ensuring they are prepared to navigate the complexities of the digital age.

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