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The article emphasizes the critical role of cybersecurity management in Uganda’s growing startup ecosystem. During the Uganda Innovation Week, experts highlighted the importance of protecting businesses from evolving cyber threats.

Cybersecurity management has become essential to the expanding start-up ecosystem in Uganda and is the key to long-term growth and resilience.

When specialists convened on the second day of Uganda Innovation Week to assess how safe digital environments are for promoting entrepreneurship, the focus grew on how important strong cybersecurity is.

As new ventures are fueled by innovation and technological advancements, the conversation these days centers on how vital it is to protect these businesses from the constantly changing threat landscape of cyberattacks. Experts declare that cybersecurity management is an essential component that is vital to the survival and growth of Uganda’s emerging startup culture.

Emmanuel Chagara from Milimo Cybersecurity underlined the importance of strengthening their operations against cyber threats as start-ups in Uganda continue to thrive and increase their digital footprint.

He claims that the conversation about cybersecurity goes beyond simple technological issues to include the fundamentals of how these companies function. The perspectives offered by prominent figures in the sector underscore that proficient cybersecurity protocols serve as more than just a buffer against possible intrusions; they are also a critical strategic requirement for preserving investor confidence, guaranteeing data accuracy, and cultivating long-term expansion within the start-up ecosystem.

“These members are already a responsibility to you and could potentially put you in a difficult state if you get hacked. By design, you are already a data controller because you are enhancing data from your client because you are probably processing over 1000,” he said.

Chagara also alerted innovators to the threat posed by recently developed new technologies. “We need to be aware of the new technologies. Let’s exercise caution when integrating new technologies; one of the biggest disruptions we currently witness is cloud computing. Your infrastructure is hosted where? In what way is your cloud service secure? Which reviews are they? Are you using the essentials, such as real antivirus software, even at work?  If you want your product to compete on a global scale, you can’t use a cracked application; instead, you must consider your solution from a global perspective.

While start-ups struggle to develop robust solutions to compete in the global market, cybersecurity needs to be a true pillar that no business can afford to overlook. It is imperative for innovators to adopt secure coding practices and refrain from removing codes from libraries.

“If we are to build resilient infrastructures for our companies, let’s innovators, start-ups, and technology builders make sure that we build in a secure environment,” he said.

The innovators were cautioned by Michael Newman of the National Information and Technology Authority – Uganda (NITA-U) that users are ultimately responsible for their own security and should exercise extreme caution when handling personal information as it may be misused by malicious individuals.

Mr. Newman claims that stakeholders and founders of start-ups are taking a more proactive stance as a result of the evolution of cyber threats. As a result, experts argued for a thorough integration of cybersecurity protocols into the foundation of these start-up businesses, given the risks posed by cyber vulnerabilities.

They contend that taking this proactive approach is essential to protecting these businesses’ assets and confidential information as well as the stability and good name of Uganda’s developing start-up scene.

The perspectives offered by professionals and leaders in the field create a strong impression of a proactive and watchful approach to cybersecurity. This strategy goes beyond technology fixes; it is a strategic way of thinking that is embedded in the core of startup operations. Through the implementation of strong cybersecurity protocols, these businesses not only protect themselves against potential threats but also foster a climate of trust, resilience, and long-term sustainability.

There is no denying the importance of cybersecurity management as Uganda’s startup scene develops. It is more than just a defense against possible cyberattacks; it is a vital enabler, a cornerstone supporting these businesses’ future expansion, creativity, and legitimacy. Undoubtedly, adopting and integrating strong cybersecurity practices will open the door to a more safe, resilient, and successful future for Uganda’s startup scene.