January 2010 - KICTANet

Google Threatens Pullout From China After E-Mail Accounts Are Hacked
by alice 15 Jan '10

15 Jan '10

Breaking News Alert The New York Times Tue, January 12, 2010 -- 6:11 PM ET ----- Google Threatens Pullout From China After E-Mail Accounts Are Hacked Google threatened to end its operations in China after it discovered that the e-mail accounts of human rights activists had been breached. The company said it had detected a "highly sophisticated and targeted attack on our corporate infrastructure originating from China." Google says further investigation revealed that "a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists." Google did not specifically accuse the Chinese government. But the company added that it is "no longer willing to continue censoring our results" on its Chinese search engine, as the government requires. Google says the decision could force it to shut down its Chinese site and its offices in the country. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com?emc=na ----- Now get New York Times breaking news alerts sent to your mobile phone. Sign up by texting NEWSALERTS to 698698 (NYTNYT). ----- About This E-Mail You received this message because you are signed up to receive breaking news alerts from NYTimes.com. To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address or to sign up for daily headlines or other newsletters, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/email NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Ave. New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company

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Kenyan Internet Service Providers Poll…
by kipsangb＠linuxmail.org 14 Jan '10

14 Jan '10

Greetings, I hope this reaches you in the best of health & highest of spirits today. I've posted an unofficial poll on my blog with the intent of ranking ISPs in Kenya. The poll can be found here. Don't hesitate to leave a comment or two! Thank you for your assistance... Warm regards, Michael.

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ICTPark Land sale stopped
by robert yawe 14 Jan '10

14 Jan '10

Hi, The courts yesterday stopped the completion of the sale of Malili farm to the government until the case is determined. When the locals of the area and their leadership have no appreciation or understanding of what benefits the ICTPark will have for them is it really prudent to push the issue? Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] New Regulations & the Media
by Wainaina Mungai 14 Jan '10

14 Jan '10

Interesting that the media did not have a case this time round.... Now let's see how the regulations will be implemented....i bet that's where the rubber meets the road....so to speak... Wainaina On 1/14/10, kennedy waweru <kenne2ke(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I have watched Dr. Ndemo in K24 on tuesday and really I have to say that he > was well informed and nothing malicious seems to be streaming out of him. > Personally, I have gone through the regulations and for the purpose they are > meant to serve they seem comendable to me. > > Let's hear the other side of the story, from the media, then we analyze to > see whether they are just blowing steam or they have something credible to > offer. > > I personally think that the media has gone too far and have failed to > regulate themselves. > > On Wed, Jan 13, 2010 at 9:23 PM, Wainaina Mungai > <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org>wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> When Dr. Ndemo published the new media regulations a few days ago, the >> Media Owners complained..... naturally. >> >> However, there has been no debate on KICTANet and the press seems >> unsure on whether to fight this time round. >> >> I am surprised at the very loud silence on the issue. Is it a sign >> there is a major storm brewing? >> >> Wainaina >> >> -- >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> --- >> http://www.bungesms.com >> http://www.madeinkenya.org >> http://www.wainainamungai.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: kenne2ke(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kenne2ke%40gmail.com >> > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com http://www.madeinkenya.org http://www.wainainamungai.com

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Information Security: Protecting the Global Enterprise Workshop
by Evans Kahuthu 13 Jan '10

13 Jan '10

Dear Listers, The Kenya Institute of Management and Teqlink Solutions LTD invites applications for a two (2) day workshop on Information Security on Feb 23-24, 2010 at the Sarova PanAfric Hotel, Nairobi. *Course Content*: Ø Online Fraud and Risk Management Ø Information security concepts, principles and techniques. Ø Global Threats to Information & Telecommunication Systems Ø Information risk analysis Ø Data protection, privacy, and copyright acts and laws Ø Wireless Internet Security Ø Use of Internet as an information resource Ø Document security Ø Monitoring security and information flow Ø Logical protection of systems Ø Incident handling and best practices Ø Developing a High Impact Security Management Strategy. For more information and registration, please see the attached documents or call Mercy Kaburu on 0722-956289, 020-2396414 or email iclad(a)kim.ac.ke Evans Kahuthu

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ICANN: Application Round Opens for Brussels Meeting Fellowships
by Adam Peake 12 Jan '10

12 Jan '10

<http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-11jan10-en.htm> Application Round Opens for Brussels Meeting Fellowships Program ensures global representation at ICANN's International Public Meetings 11 January 2010 MARINA DEL REY, Calif. : The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has launched the 10th round of Fellowship program applications for its 38th International Public Meeting to be held in Brussels, Belgium on 20-25 June 2010. "Just like the Internet, ICANN is global in scope in its operations," said Theresa Swinehart, ICANN's Vice President, Global and Strategic Partnerships. "Our Fellowship program has had a lot of success at our last 8 meetings in making sure global voices are heard in the wide variety of public forums that it holds." For the Nairobi Meeting, there are 26 fellows from 21 countries, chosen from 119 applications received. 10 of the fellows are alumni from at least one of the past eight programmes; 14 fellows are first-time attendees to any ICANN meeting and 2 have attended past meetings, but are first time fellows. Priority is given to applicants who are current residents of developing and least developed nations and interested in participating in ICANN and its supporting organizations, such as the Governmental Advisory Committee, the Country Code Names Supporting Organization, the At-Large and the Generic Names Supporting Organization. The Fellowship program will assist in covering airfare, hotel and a stipend. Recipients will be expected to actively participate in and contribute to ICANN processes. As always, registration for ICANN's meetings is free for anyone wanting to attend. Applications for the meeting in Brussels will be accepted from now until 1200 PDT (UTC-7) on 19 February 2010. More information, as well as a link to the application for a fellowship, is available online at: https://forms.icann.org/fellowship/applications/icann38/ or email at fellowships(a)icann.org

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Re: [kictanet] My take: ICT Parks
by Njoroge Tito 12 Jan '10

12 Jan '10

> 3) As much as we may argue that the distance matters little in ICT, but > this will definitely play a fundamental role in development of this > facility. *All the government ministries are their HQs concentrated in > Nairobi*. > Dr Ndemo, Is this really necessary? Is it necessary for parliament to be in Nairobi, for ALL government ministries to have HQs in Nairobi? Our government can learn a few things from the banking sector. Banks in the 90's were located in a few major towns. People went to the bank. The development in the sector after the banks went to the people cannot be under-estimated. The number of people who have accounts soared, access to loans to facilitate development became easier, profits for the sector multiplied. I believe ICT facilitated this shift. I can walk into a bank in Westlands, and be served yet my account is held in Bondo. I am not saying that the sector is perfect, but there are lessons we can take. The same should be happening with government services. The government should take services to the people. This will spur development in areas far from Nairobi, all over the country. Back to the question at hand, i believe an ICT park is one of those things that dont need to be in Nairobi. We cant have everything in Nairobi. The more things we locate in Nairobi, the more people come to Nairobi, the more congested the city becomes. Nairobi is not Kenya. Regards, Tito.

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My 2cts: ICT Parks
by Victor Gathara 12 Jan '10

12 Jan '10

Dr Ndemo, The following is an excerpt for a paper I wrote on the impact of the arrival of sub-marine fibre in East Africa(http://www.gg.rhul.ac.uk/ict4d/workingpapers/Gathero.doc). In it I suggest we adopt consultant Booz Allen Hamilton's six levers for successful development of an ICT park strategy for Kenya. ______________________ ICT Parks Kenya's BPO sector cannot succeed without a critical mass of companies at least a handful of which must be of significant size (000s of employees). The Government can fast-track an environment conducive to ICT sector growth by fostering ICT parks - one or more buildings in which there is a full range of services including reliable electrical power, high speed lines, cabling, physical security and so on. GoK has undertaken the creation of one such park in Athi River. Building is expected to commence in July. The park will occupy about 5000 acres of land and is expected to employ over 10,000 people. While a positive undertaking, the park should be considered as part of an overall strategy. Consultant firm Booz Allen Hamilton has reviewed the learning from global experiences and suggests six main levers for the successful development of ICT parks:[1] <outbind://20/#_ftn1> * Purpose - This element must be articulated up front as it directly impacts the physical environment, regulatory and legal context, economic focus, level of integration to the national economy, etc. To illustrate, parks can focus on objectives dealing with ICT sector development, attraction of foreign investments and/or retention of domestic investments, and incubation of new business. The purpose of the Athi River Park should be clearly articulated. * Value Proposition - Central to the success of an ICT park is the definition and enactment of a legal and regulatory framework, provision of adequate infrastructure and facilities, availability of support services, overall quality of life, and location, to name a few. Importantly, the offering of communication-related services such as voice and data telecommunications, managed data services, and media broadcast all play a key role in shaping the value proposition. It would be good to get a blueprint of the park widely circulated showing advantages of businesses being housed there. The government can also make it easy for local or foreign firms to set up operations for example by giving tax incentives to companies, domestic and foreign operating in the park. * Location - The efficiency, effectiveness, and resulting lifestyle in these parks are important attributes. As a result, ICT parks tend to be located in dedicated areas outside the main city and within a short driving distance. They also tend to be located within a short driving distance from the airport as well as prominent universities. This clearly suits Athi River as a choice location with its distance from Nairobi, Daystar University and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Last but not least, Booz Allen suggests the park dedicates 30%-50% of their space to green areas with the objective to create a distinctive and attractive environment. * Partnership - ICT parks require close links to academic institutions, real estate developers, venture capitals and financial institutions, investment promotion agencies, and national government agencies involved in the ICT sector. To illustrate, and building on the learning of the broader experience of technology parks, nearly 50% of such developments are pursued within university-related premises. It would be prudent for the government to initiate such partnerships in this early stage. * Funding - ICT parks can be funded primarily through the private sector (e.g., real estate developers, private investors/placement) and government agencies if required. They are self-sustainable financially and can generate attractive returns. In this regard GoK should seek to enter Private Public Partnerships to ensure that there is private sector buy-in. * Competitive Positioning - ICT parks can define their competitive positioning along three dimensions. Firstly, they need a differentiated positioning vis-à-vis other comparable developments within the same region (e.g., within the Arabian Peninsula, such as the Dubai Media city). Secondly, they need to offer distinctive benefits at a national level, in particular when considering that 50% of the tenants could represent already established institutions. Thirdly, ICT parks can be defined as part of a regional network of parks. Such a 'constellation' of parks aims to create cross-border synergies and complementary products, services, and strengths. The concept of 'constellation' is already into play at a national level with developments such as the Smart Villages in Egypt having planned presences in Giza (Cairo), Mansoura (Cairo), and Alexandria. The Athi River Park should therefore not be seen in isolation but as part of a constellation of parks. Others could be developed in University towns such as Eldoret, Nakuru and Juja. ________________________________ [1] <outbind://20/#_ftnref1> Booz Allen Hamilton: ICT parks offer a fast-track development approach for the Middle East, http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html <http://www.ameinfo.com/66995.html> Victor Gathara| UK Department for International Development| Regional IS Manager , East Africa| * email: v-gathara(a)dfid.gov.uk * Telephone: +254 20 2873349 * Fax: +254 20 2873102 * Ftn: 8300 3349 * Mobile: +254 733 414846 url: www.dfid.gov.uk <http://www.dfid.gov.uk/> DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk. The road to Copenhagen: the UK Government's ambition for a global deal on climate change. Find out more at http://www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk and about DFID's work at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/climate. ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

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Re: [kictanet] Update on ICDL and foreign certifications for basiccomputer usage
by robert yawe 12 Jan '10

12 Jan '10

Hi All, Hope the year has begun well and look forward to fruitful interactions. Dr. Waudo, what is the progress on the discussions with KASNEB on the issue of local certifications. I believe Dr. Ndemo had indicated that he had met with KASNEB and the ball was now in your court. Please give us an update. Regards Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Is Kenya Really Going Digital and Open?
by Edith Adera 11 Jan '10

11 Jan '10

Bwana Ndemo, I trust this finds you well in the new year. Today, I patriotically sent someone to the Ministry of Tourism to pick a promotional DVD, Video or other digital products on Kenya for use in an event that will include foreigners so as to portray Kenya in good light thinking I'm being the good Kenyan that we should all be. The librarian asked to speak to me and told me that I must first "write a letter" to the Ministry formally requesting the materials!, then it has to be discussed with the boss and a formal approval given before I can get a copy, which she has. I could not believe my ears! Are we back to the snail mail era where you receive no reply? What will become of your efforts on local content? how about access to information (which in this case is surely far from secret!). They proudly pay CNN millions of dollars to advertise Kenya, while Kenyans making an effort to promote their country, for free, have no access to the materials!! Could you advice me how best I can access the materials I need! Edith

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