Towards an African cybersecurity community of practice

Abstract

In recent years cybersecurity challenges and concerns have become a common theme for discussion by both the government and private sector. These challenges are partly brought on by the continued use of and dependence on information technology, such as the internet, wireless networks and the development and use of smart devices. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic has also led to the increase in internet use as it altered the way in which people live and work through forcing businesses and even schools to move to remote working. All these events have made cybersecurity challenges and concerns spiral and more so in Africa where cybercrime continues to rise and be a constant threat. This study proposes a cybersecurity community of practice as a strategy to address African contextual cybersecurity challenges. This qualitative enquiry, based on organizations on the African continent, identifies key characteristics and objectives of an African cybersecurity CoP. These findings provide practical implications for CoP African members and a steppingstone on what to consider prior to implementing an African CoP for addressing cybersecurity challenges and concerns.