The 4th edition of Mali's National Cybersecurity Days (JNC) has commenced in Bamako, bringing together experts, officials, and students to discuss the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber space. The event, organized by the Malian Authority for the Regulation of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Posts (AMRTP), is being held at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB) and the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FST). Delegations from Burkina Faso and Niger are also participating in the five-day event.
The JNC 2024 is themed "Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Space: New Challenges for Cybersecurity." The event aims to promote the sharing of experiences, research of concrete solutions, and cooperation among states in the AES (African Economic and Monetary Community) region. According to the initiators, the theme reflects the technological upheavals of the era and the need for a safer and more resilient Malian cyber space. Experts, professionals, institutions, and young talents are expected to discuss ways to build a secure and resilient cyber space.
The President of AMRTP, Saïdou Pona Sangaré, emphasized that the digital era is no longer a promise of the future but a reality that requires urgent strategic attention. He highlighted the risks associated with the emergence of generative AI and automatic learning systems. Sangaré defined digital sovereignty as the ability of a state or community of states to control its strategic data, secure its critical infrastructure, and preserve its capacity to set rules on its territory.
Sangaré stressed that digital sovereignty cannot be bought on international markets but must be built through local capacity development. He called on universities, research centers, and innovation ecosystems to play a crucial role in developing digital competencies. The Minister of Communication, Economy, and Digital Modernization, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in previous editions of JNC, which have contributed to raising awareness and promoting exchanges on cybersecurity.
Ag Ilyène noted that the digital revolution has become an integral part of daily life, administration, and businesses, but it also exposes societies to new risks. He emphasized the need to protect critical infrastructure, particularly in the telecommunications, energy, finance, health, and administration sectors. The Malian government has adopted a National Cybersecurity Strategy and an action plan for 2024-2028, as well as created a National Agency for Information System Security (ANSSI).
The JNC 2024 will feature practical training sessions, competitions, and exchanges with professionals. Awareness-raising activities are also planned for high school students to educate them on digital security best practices. These initiatives aim to enable administrations, businesses, and citizens to better understand the threats they face and how to protect themselves.
The event has drawn attention to the importance of cooperation and mutualization of efforts among states in the AES region to strengthen digital security. The first vice-president of the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Amadou Maïga, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of collaboration between AMRTP and FST in addressing cyber space challenges.
Key points
- The 4th edition of Mali's National Cybersecurity Days focuses on AI and cyber space challenges.
- The event aims to promote cooperation and mutualization of efforts among states in the AES region.
- The Malian government has adopted a National Cybersecurity Strategy and created a National Agency for Information System Security.
