The eCitizen platform, which offers over 5,000 government services online, was the target of a cyber-attack this week, according to the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo.
Speaking on Spice FM, Owalo confirmed the hacking incident that was reported by some Kenyans who were unable to access the platform.
He said the attackers tried to jam the system by making more than ordinary requests, which slowed down the system. However, he assured that no data was accessed or lost by the hackers.
“We are addressing that, we are not just coming up with instant remedial measures to address the current situation, we will build an elaborate risk mitigation framework,” he said.
Owalo said such incidents should not deter the country from embracing digitalization of services, but rather call for more investment in cyber security measures.
He said the Ministry has taken stringent security measures to safeguard the platform from any potential data breaches in the future.
He also revealed that the government has formed a multifaceted team responsible for proactively monitoring global cyber security trends and developing appropriate risk mitigation measures to ensure the resilience of the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The eCitizen platform is a one-stop shop for various government services from ministries, county governments and agencies. It allows citizens to apply for passports, driving licenses, business permits, land titles, birth certificates and many other services online.