Information Network Security Administration (INSA) has reviewed its nine-month performance report for the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year.
The evaluation indicated that this performance has significant importance in advancing Ethiopia’s strategic vision of “Digital Ethiopia 2030,” strengthening national security, and enhancing the country’s regional and global influence in the field of cybersecurity.
During the past nine months, 50,155 cyberattack attempts were launched against critical national infrastructure and institutions. Of these, intrusion-related attacks accounted for 20,601 (41%), representing the largest share.
Through continuous 24-hour monitoring and a strengthened defense system, the Administration successfully thwarted approximately 99% of these attacks.
INSA Director General Ms. Tigist Hamid stated at the review meeting that the institution has achieved encouraging results across its five strategic focus areas during the reporting period.
She noted that significant progress was made in strengthening capabilities for early threat detection, prevention, and incident response, enabling faster and more efficient operational activities.
The successful neutralization of over 50,000 cyberattacks with a 99% success rate reflects the operational excellence of the institution. In addition, security assessments were conducted on 338 systems, helping institutions reduce their exposure to cyber threats.
Ms. Tigist also highlighted achievements in building key national digital infrastructure to support digital sovereignty. These include the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), the Gotera Cloud service for secure domestic data storage and management, and a modern digital forensics center for scientific investigation of cybercrime and ensuring accountability.
Efforts to develop and deploy locally produced technological solutions have also been strengthened, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign technologies and support Ethiopia’s digital transformation through domestic capacity.
Furthermore, the Administration conducted 5,604 fraud prevention activities related to corruption, financial fraud, and social media-based scams, thereby preventing potential economic and social harm.
Out of 3,917 imported technology products, 205 were blocked after being found to pose national security risks.
Ms. Tigist also noted Ethiopia’s efforts to improve its ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), highlighting the country’s participation in platforms such as the BRICS cybersecurity cooperation forum and the GITEX international technology exhibition, which have helped showcase Ethiopia’s capabilities and build new partnerships.
She emphasized that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility of all institutions and citizens. Accordingly, extensive awareness-raising activities were carried out among the public, students, and professionals, including the successful 6th Cybersecurity Month campaign.
INSA also reported significant contributions to national peace and stability, particularly in countering hate speech and misinformation campaigns that threaten social cohesion. Strong collaboration has also been established with the private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen the national cybersecurity ecosystem.
Finally, Ms. Tigist stressed that cybersecurity is not only a technological issue but also a matter of national sovereignty and security assurance. She reaffirmed INSA’s commitment to building a resilient and secure cyber environment for the country.
