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📰 IT News Roundup (September 8, 2024) 🇬🇧🔧 1. **The Register**: "UK Government Invests £100 Million in Digital Skills Programme" - In an effort to address the growing skills gap in the tech industry, the UK government has announced a £100 million investment in a digital skills programme. This initiative aims to provide training and resources for individuals to develop essential tech skills needed for the modern workforce. 💻🇬🇧 2. **Ars Technica**: "UK's Data Protection Authority Launches Consultation on AI Regulations" - The UK's Information Commissioner's Office has begun a consultation process to gather public input on upcoming AI regulations. This initiative aims to address concerns around data privacy and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in various sectors. 📜🤖 3. **BBC**: "UK Retail Sector Shifts Towards AI-Powered Stock Management" - UK retailers are increasingly adopting AI technologies for inventory management. By utilizing AI algorithms, these retailers can predict demand more accurately, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency in their supply chains. 🛒📈 4. **The Register**: "Startups in the UK Are Innovating in the Space Tech Sector" - A new wave of startups in the UK is focusing on space technology, developing solutions for satellite communications, earth observation, and more. These innovations underscore the growing importance of the UK in the global space race. 🚀🌌 5. **Ars Technica**: "UK's National Cyber Strategy to Include Enhanced Education Initiatives" - The UK is revamping its National Cyber Strategy to emphasize education and training initiatives aimed at building a more robust cybersecurity workforce. This update is part of a broader effort to strengthen national security and resilience against cyber threats. 🛡️📚 6. **BBC**: "New Report Shows Increased Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals in the UK" - A recent report indicates a significant rise in demand for cybersecurity professionals across the UK. As businesses face constant threats, the need for skilled workers in this field is more critical than ever. 🔐👩💻 7. **The Register**: "UK Tech Companies Seeking Talent Beyond Borders" - With ongoing skills shortages, many UK tech companies are actively seeking talent from abroad to fill key positions. This trend highlights the importance of an inclusive approach to recruitment in addressing the skills gap in the tech industry. 🌍🧑💼 Stay informed about the latest developments in the UK's tech landscape! 🌟 #TechNews #DigitalSkills #AI #Cybersecurity #SpaceTech #Innovation #Inclusion #NationalSecurity

The newly launched ICT Sector Working Group report outlines essential recommendations for Kenya's digital transformation. From building a robust infrastructure to fostering innovation in software and services, the report provides a roadmap for the country's digital future. ▶️Digital Infrastructure ▶️Software and Services ▶️Data Governance ▶️Emerging Technologies ▶️Cybersecurity The report provides a comprehensive framework for Kenya to achieve its digital aspirations writes John Walubengo, CISA, CDPSE, (OGW). cc Ali Hussein Kassim, Dr. Grace Githaiga

GEEKULCHA FEATURED IN A UN REPORT As a self-funded organisation since 2013, we always want the work of Geekulcha to be documented and a feature in this UN report commissioned by its Department of Economic and Social Affairs is most humbling. The World Public Sector Report 2023 cites Geekulcha's efforts in foresighted skills development in support of the public sector and this of course, is energised and catalysed by amongst others, a strategic collaboration with the Centre for Public Service Innovation. Since our formation - we have set course to support the local and international innovation baseline development through some of these: * Geekulcha is one of the key drivers of the Open Data South Africa project and we have set Geekulcha's position to ignite "Open Data for Innovation and Smart Citizenship" * We have localised Geekulcha in some of the provinces and/or regions across SA with the Northern Cape province as such, to map and support skills and innovation development pipeline. * Some of our programmes have been geared towards supporting national discourse programmes such as HIV/AIDS awareness through Open Data - igniting smart citizenship and persuading proactive thought process and development of the next... * As of 2014, we had positioned Geekulcha into developmental transitions and 5 layers of skills development, building a social compact structure amongst the youth and the marginalised. * In 2017, we began a journey towards building a capable South African Cyber Defence Army and thus our drive of Cybersecurity Hackathons, Cybersafety awareness, regional InfoSec programmes, making security a key criterion, etc. These are the efforts to build skills and proactive capabilities in the ever-changing threat landscape. Massive gratitude to all the partners and industry/academia professionals who continue to commit and be on the ground with us in this endeavour.

According to the latest European Commission's #DigitalDecade targets report, by 2030 the EU will not: 🚨 Ensure that 80% of citizens aged 16-74 have at least basic digital skills 🚨 Secure 20 million tech experts (expected to be 12) 🚨 Have 75% of its companies adopting cloud, big data, and #AI (at the current pace, it'll be 64%, 50, & 17%) That’s no way to become #aDigitalPowerhouse, but we have the recipe to fix it. It starts with a D and ends with an S: digital skills! Here are some of our solutions highlighted in our latest #TheDownload: 🔜 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺: Implement a voluntary European Skills Passport to help cross-border job seekers ⏱ 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺: Make digital #skills compulsory in school curricula and upgrade digital infrastructure in schools ⏳ 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺: Deliver on the Cybersecurity Skills Academy ambitions to help close the cybersecurity specialists gap (it's close to 1 million) Swipe ➡️ below to read all about it! Have any questions? Reach out to Vincenzo Renda & Martina Piazza. Want to learn even more? Check out ARISA - AI Skills (Wiktoria Orłowska) & CyberHubs - European Network of Cybersecurity Skills Hubs (Irene Marinelli)

💡 How can Europe become #aDigitalPowerhouse? Last week, the European Commission published its second annual report on the State of the Digital Decade which evaluates progress towards the Digital Decade Policy targets by 2030. ➡ This year's report calls for strengthened action from Member States to be more ambitious. Achieving the Digital Decade goals in digital infrastructure, businesses, skills, and public services is critical for the EU's future economic prosperity and societal cohesion. Digital skills are at the core of our work at DIGITALEUROPE. From projects to policy work, we are committed to: 📌 Ensuring that 50% of EU citizens have above basic level #DigitalSkills. 📌 Cutting the shortage of #cybersecurity professionals in the EU to zero. Want to know more about our work? 👇 Here's something for you: 📚 Read the full DIGITALEUROPE Manifesto: https://lnkd.in/drkUJ_aM 📥 Check out #TheDownload on closing the digital skills gap: https://lnkd.in/d-USYbeY 💻 Discover more about the projects in digital skills: https://lnkd.in/dqmGpCk5

Driving Digital Transformation: A Closer Look at Kenya's Cloud Policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kenya's Cloud Policy 2024 outlines an ambitious roadmap for cloud adoption to accelerate digital transformation, enhance service delivery, and foster innovation. While the policy is robust, certain gaps and challenges require attention to realize its full potential: 1. Policy Enforcement and Legal Gaps The absence of a legal framework mandating cloud adoption leaves organizations reliant on on-premise solutions, limiting modernization efforts. Existing laws, like the Data Protection Act (2019), need stronger alignment with cross-border data flow policies to enhance global interoperability. 2. Implementation Challenges Limited technical skills and budget constraints hinder smooth transitions from traditional systems to cloud-based solutions. The need for well-defined migration strategies that balance commercial, technical, and cybersecurity considerations remains critical. 3. Data Sovereignty and Localization Addressing data sovereignty, localization, and residency effectively while fostering innovation is a delicate balance yet to be fully achieved. Clearer guidelines are needed to manage cross-border data flows while maintaining compliance with national and international standards. 4. Governance and Accountability The multi-agency approach for governance can lead to overlaps without streamlined coordination, risking inefficiency in implementation and compliance monitoring. 5. International Best Practices Integrating global cloud standards and ensuring interoperability with international systems are opportunities for Kenya to position itself competitively in the global digital economy. Addressing these gaps can significantly enhance Kenya's cloud adoption journey, driving cost efficiency, scalability, and innovation in both the public and private sectors. Collaborative efforts from all stakeholders will be key to success. What are your thoughts on Kenya's cloud adoption challenges and opportunities? Let’s discuss how we can shape a transformative digital future. Mulutu Jackson Felix Yahuma Alex Siboe Wekunda Justus Siboe #DigitalTransformation #CloudComputing #PolicyInnovation #DataSovereignty #CyberSecurity #KenyaVision2030 #CloudAdoption #DataPrivacy #TechGovernance #InnovationAfrica

Namibian youth urged to drive digital transformation: Niël Terblanché Namibia is making good progress in its journey towards becoming a digitally inclusive society and through sustained collaboration and investment in ICT infrastructure and human capital, the country is ready to unlock the potential of the next generation of innovators. The eighth National ICT Summit held in Windhoek concluded on Wednesday with a call for young Namibians to take centre stage in the country’s digital transformation journey. The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Modestus Amutse, stressed the essential role that the youth must play in shaping Namibia’s future within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation. “The significance of creating platforms for young people to develop their talents and ideas in the digital space cannot be overstressed,” he said. He added that ICT policymakers, experts and innovators must dedicate their focus to young people and the role they have to play in the ICT space. “Namibia’s youth form the backbone of the country’s population and should be empowered through mentorship, networking, and collaborative opportunities in ICT,” he said. A key feature of this year’s summit was the focus on AI, with young innovators participating in hackathons aimed at developing AI-driven solutions for government operations. One such initiative is the creation of a Media Engagement Platform, designed to enhance service delivery through an online registration portal for media practitioners, as well as a feedback mechanism for government agencies. According to Amutse, these innovations are set to improve government interaction with the media, particularly as Namibia prepares for the implementation of the Access to Information Act. He praised the creativity and technical abilities demonstrated by the young participants. “The government has trust in its own talent and promotes the use of home-grown technologies,” underscoring Namibia’s commitment to nurturing local expertise and encouraging youth to take ownership of their innovations,” he said. He also called for greater collaboration between academia, industry leaders, and financial institutions to support the youth’s endeavours. “Government on its own cannot assist these great minds and innovations; it should be a collective effort between the public and private sector,” he added. The Deputy Minister acknowledged the importance of cybersecurity awareness, especially in the wake of rising cyber threats. He encouraged Namibians to remain vigilant and participate in the Ministry of ICT’s cybersecurity sessions, which aim to equip individuals and organisations with skills to protect themselves online. “One day, we will live in the Namibia we have always envisioned, a Namibia where youth-led…

🚀 Albania's Progress on EU Accession – 2024 Update The Annual Progress Report evaluates Albania’s readiness for EU membership, assessing reforms across 31 chapters within 6 clusters like governance, economic growth, and digital transformation. 📄 📌 Chapter 10 – Digital Transformation and Media (from moderately prepared (2023) to moderate-good preparation (2024)) Progress: ✅ Albania adopted a new cybersecurity law aligned with the EU’s NIS2 Directive. ✅ Ratified the Digital Europe Programme, opening access to EU funding for tech initiatives. ✅ Established a Broadband Competence Office to boost internet infrastructure. Areas to Improve: ⚠️ Expand the 112 emergency service across the country. ⚠️ Implement the Cybersecurity Strategy Action Plan (2024–2026). ⚠️ Improve data collection on digital performance (align with EU's Digital Economy and Society Index). 🔍 Other Digital and Tech-Related Insights from the Report 📚Education & Digital Skills ✅ Albania is working on improving ICT equipment and updating curricula for schools and universities. ❗ More investment is needed in teacher training to ensure high-quality digital education. 🌐E-Government & Interoperability ✅ The National Interoperability Framework was adopted, aligned with the EU’s standards. ❗ Albania continues implementing the 2022-2026 Digital Agenda but needs to improve digital accessibility for vulnerable groups. 📲5G Infrastructure & Cybersecurity ❗ The report emphasizes the need for Albania to align with the EU’s 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox and Gigabit Infrastructure Act to ensure secure, fast internet infrastructure. 📊 Albania’s Overall Progress ✅ Albania is steadily advancing in judicial reform, anti-corruption, and digital readiness, though challenges remain in public procurement, environmental regulations, and education reforms. 💪Albania’s commitment to EU integration is clear, with continued focus on digital transformation paving the way for economic modernization. ✨ Factsheet: https://lnkd.in/dfzpkd7W Detailed report: https://lnkd.in/dHRwb6zB #EU #Albania #DigitalTransformation #Cybersecurity #Education #Governance

📰 IT News Roundup (August 12, 2024) 🇬🇧💡 1. **The Register**: "UK to Host International Cybersecurity Summit" - The UK government has announced it will host an international cybersecurity summit, bringing together global leaders and experts to discuss collaborative strategies against increasing cyber threats. This event aims to strengthen international partnerships and share best practices in cybersecurity. 🌐🛡️ 2. **Ars Technica**: "New App Launched to Combat Online Misinformation in the UK" - A new mobile application has been launched in the UK designed to help users identify and combat misinformation online. This tool uses machine learning algorithms to fact-check news articles and social media posts, promoting a more informed public. 📱📊 3. **BBC**: "UK Education Sector Embraces EdTech Innovations" - The education sector in the UK is increasingly integrating educational technology (EdTech) into classrooms. Schools are adopting interactive learning platforms and digital resources to enhance student engagement and adapt to modern learning environments. 🏫💻 4. **The Register**: "UK-Based Fintech Companies to Play Key Role in Global Economic Recovery" - A recent analysis suggests that UK-based fintech companies are positioned to play a crucial role in the global economic recovery post-pandemic. By offering innovative financial solutions, these firms are helping businesses and consumers navigate financial challenges effectively. 💳🌍 5. **Ars Technica**: "UK Solar Farms Set to Increase with New Government Funding" - The UK government has announced additional funding for solar energy projects, aiming to boost renewable energy generation. This initiative will help finance new solar farms, contributing to the UK’s goals for sustainable energy production and reducing carbon emissions. ☀️🔋 6. **BBC**: "UK Data Protection Authority Investigates AI Technology Use" - The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the UK has launched an investigation into the use of AI technologies by companies to ensure compliance with data protection regulations. The goal is to address concerns about privacy and data handling practices within the sector. 🔍⚖️ 7. **The Register**: "Collaboration Between UK Universities and Tech Industry Grows" - A new initiative has been launched to strengthen collaboration between UK universities and the tech industry. This program aims to bridge the skills gap by aligning educational outcomes with industry needs, fostering innovation and driving economic growth. 🏫🤝 Stay at the forefront of the latest developments in the UK's tech scene! 🌟 #TechNews #Cybersecurity #Misinformation #EdTech #Fintech #RenewableEnergy #DataProtection

++ Google Boosts Kenya’s Digital Connectivity with Major Investments ++ Google has unveiled significant investments in digital infrastructure and security initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity, economic growth, and resilience across Africa. A key highlight is the introduction of Umoja, the first-ever fiber optic route directly linking Africa to Australia. Anchored in Kenya, the route will traverse Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa before crossing the Indian Ocean. This project, developed in collaboration with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, will enhance connectivity for African countries by providing a scalable and resilient network. In addition to infrastructure, Google signed a Statement of Collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy. This agreement focuses on cybersecurity, data-driven innovation, digital upskilling, and the responsible deployment of AI. Google Cloud and Kenya will work together to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity, particularly for the eCitizen platform. #techafricanews #africa #kenya #technology #cloud #artifical #intelligence #cybersecurity #connectivity #network