Sri Lanka introduces new legislation to protect people from cyber attacks
Sri Lanka will be introducing new legislation to protect individuals and organisations in the cyber space from computer hacking while increasing the security and resilience of critical information infrastructure and networks.
The Legal Draftsman’s Department is finalising the Data Protection Bill and Cyber security Bill and it will be presented in Parliament for enactment within three months.
This was disclosed by Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera when he addressed the launching ceremony of CYBER 4DEV in Colombo on Tuesday.
He noted that the Cyber Crimes Act will also be amended shortly to crack down on cyber attacks, online security and social media related incidents.
He added that an advanced and updated cyber security framework would enhance Sri Lanka’s value proposition as a preferred destination for IT-enabled services.
A National Information and Cyber Security Strategy has also been unveiled at the launch of Cyber Resilience for Development (CYBER 4DEV) project funded by the European Union (EU) in Colombo.
British, Dutch and Estonian governments are the partners for the implementation of the project in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Infrastructure and Information Technology.
This action contributes to ‘Stability and Peace’ allowing citizens to enjoy the digital dividends of an open, free, secure and resilient cyberspace.
CYBER 4DEV project will be spearheading the promotion of cyber resilience through “raising awareness on cyber threats; and developing national cyber security strategies.
It will also be providing for information assurance and resilience; setting up, training and equipping Computer Emergency Response Teams, building early warning, information sharing and analysis capabilities.
Addressing the gathering, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris emphasised the importance of an open, free, secure and resilient cyberspace in safeguarding democracy and furthering development.
He explained that this vision aligns with the UK’s own National Cyber Security Strategy.
Sri Lanka has already shown clear support to this through its national cyber strategy and through signing the Commonwealth Cyber Declaration, agreed in London last year. In that Declaration, members of the Commonwealth agreed to support a cyberspace that supports economic and social development and rights online, to build the foundations of an effective national cyber security response, and to promote stability in cyberspace through international cooperation, he added.
The Computer Emergency Readiness Team| Coordination Centre (CERT/CC) has formulated Sri Lanka’s first Information and Cyber Security Strategy to be implemented over a period of five years from 2019 to 2023.
The Strategy is an institutional framework that aims to create a resilient and trusted cyber security ecosystem that will enable Sri Lankan citizens to have access to safe digital exposure and facilitate a better future, Dr. Kanishka Karunasena, the research and policy specialist for CERT said.
CERT has worked with multi-sectoral institutions, banks and utility organisations to create this cyber security strategy, he revealed.