Drill for Cybersecurity in 2025 Concludes in Kintele, Enhances Central Africa's Preparedness Against Cyber Attacks
In the heart of Central Africa, Kintele recently played host to the 13th Regional Cyberdrill, a significant event that has further consolidated the region's emerging role as a digital crossroads. This year's edition set a new benchmark for cybersecurity collaboration in the region, underscoring the Republic of Congo's ambition to position itself as a digital trust hub.
Over four days, the event brought together various entities including government teams, public security forces, critical infrastructure operators, national research centres, and international partners. Key institutions such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Interpol, ANSSI, and the African Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence (CARIA) lent their support.
The focus of this year's Cyberdrill was on digital sovereignty and regional cyber resilience. Real-world attack scenarios were used to understand attacker tactics, and the event emphasised the need to institutionalize cooperation and operationalize lessons learned. The ultimate goal was to enhance collective digital resilience.
Cyberdrill 2025 played a pivotal role in enhancing Central Africa's cybersecurity capabilities by promoting collaboration, capacity building, and strategic readiness against cyber threats. The event included hands-on workshops and technical training sessions, which helped build the capacity of cybersecurity professionals in the region.
Strategic coordination was also a key emphasis. By aligning efforts and strategies, regional cybersecurity teams can better protect their digital infrastructures. The event highlighted Central Africa's readiness and determination to defend its digital space, demonstrating the region's commitment to enhancing cybersecurity through sustained political will.
In-depth threat analysis was conducted during the Cyberdrill, and the event featured national-level incident response training, threat identification exercises, and large-scale attack simulations. Incident response protocols were evaluated and validated, providing valuable insights for future preparedness.
The government of the Republic of Congo reaffirmed its commitment to cybersecurity as a pillar of national security, institutional stability, economic trust, and social cohesion. The event also marked the formal adoption of the regulatory framework for CARIA and the certification body for digital startups and technological innovation, during the Council of Ministers held on 2 July 2025.
New regional and international partnerships were established during the Cyberdrill, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in enhancing cybersecurity. The Republic of Congo is actively advancing its digital governance through the implementation of the National Digital Development Plan (2022-2026), the Congo Digital Strategy 2030, and the strengthening of the National Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI).
As Central Africa continues to evolve as a digital crossroads, events like Cyberdrill 2025 are instrumental in ensuring the region's cybersecurity capabilities keep pace with this growth. The event underscored the Republic of Congo's ambition to position itself as a digital trust hub in Central Africa, a goal that is increasingly important in the face of growing cyber threats across the continent.
- The seriousness of cybersecurity infrastructure has been emphasized by the Republic of Congo, placing it as a significant part of national security, institutional stability, economic trust, and social cohesion.
- To bolster the region's cybersecurity, the event promoted partnerships among startups and technological innovators through the adoption of a regulatory framework and certification body.
- To combat growing cyber threats, the Republic of Congo is active in forming international collaborations, including through the National Digital Development Plan (2022-2026), Congo Digital Strategy 2030, and the strengthening of the National Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI).
- As a digital crossroads, Central Africa recognizes the vital role of cybersecurity education-and-self-development in maintaining a resilient and secure digital landscape, with Cyberdrill 2025 playing a crucial part in enriching these capabilities.
