Internet Society, Gambia Chapter, recently organised a webinar in commemoration of global cyber security awareness to switch on or promote the use of encryption under the theme: "encryption for a safer internet."

The event was a vital tool for protecting the digital society, to educate the world on online safety and end-to-end encryption for safe communication online.

Director for ICT at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy (MoCDE), Ousman Bah, who represented his Permanent Secretary, acknowledged the growing use of technology in today's digital age, saying technology has come with more challenges than ever.

He added that at the level of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, they are very much aware of the importance of privacy and data security, which led the ministry to start championing the promotion and usage of encryption for Privacy and Enhancing Technology (PET) as an encore in the upcoming Data Protection and Privacy Bill expected to be tabled at parliament this year.

Bakary Njie, president of ISOC Gambia Chapter, thanked speakers and participants for actively collaborating and participating during the workshop. He said he hoped they had all learned and were inspired to begin a call to action.

He announced the unveiling of billboards on key highway routes to raise more awareness.

He assured their commitment to working with the Ministry and other Civil Society Organisations to raise awareness on internet safety and other capacity development efforts.

Speakers on the occasion included experts from the Africa Computer Emergency Response Team (AfricaCERT), Africa Regional Internet Registry (AFRINIC), Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD), the Gambia National Computer Security and Incident Response Team (gmCSIRT), Internet Society Global (ISOC) and the Gambia Cyber Security Alliance (GCSA).