Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018

Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018

You must have heard about the new Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018, if you haven''t, please purpose to find out about it. It has great implications on how we operate in this information era.

The object of the act

1. Protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer systems, programs and data;

2. Prevent the unlawful use of computer systems

3. facilitate the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution, and punishment of cybercrimes

4. protect the rights to privacy, freedom of expression and access to information and guaranteed under the constitution

5. facilitate international co-operation on matters covered under the act

KEY AREAS

1. Fake news provision ( Find time and read this, be very careful with social media posts, be very careful if you are a CEO of some WhatsApp group) Publication of false news carries a penalty of 5m and 2yrs imprisonment

2. Crimes on the unauthorized interception, unauthorized access, unauthorized interference, illegal access. This carries a penalty of 5Million or imprisonment of 3yrs. Further details on what constitutes a crime under this provision are defined under Part III 14. Section 16, is very important to you, A person who intentionally and without authorisation does any act which causes unauthorised interference/access commits an offence and is liable to 10M fine or 5yrs in jail. Password Sharers be careful here.

3. Cyberbullying provision, Wrongful distribution of obscene or intimate images, the provision on revenge porn, the provision on child pornography. (Within Infosec docket, we see a lot of obscene traffic ( pension towers guys)) Be very careful that you are not engaged in these crimes.

Also, take note that institutions regulated by CBK are explicitly protected by this act. That is to say an offence against Metropol that would normally be considered a simple disciplinary matter could easily escalate to a criminal issue under this act.

Create time and read the act. Be safe online and let's protect Metropol's information systems.