During its 24th regular session, the House of Peoples’ Representatives unanimously approved the draft Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure Proclamation after detailed deliberation.
The Parliament adopted the proclamation following an in-depth discussion on the report and recommendations presented by the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs. The proclamation has now been enacted as Proclamation No. 1426/2018.
During the discussions, lawmakers emphasized that critical infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring national peace and sovereignty, and therefore requires special protection.
When presenting the report and recommendations to the House, Committee Chair Hon. Dr. Dima Negwo stated that the draft proclamation was developed after extensive consultations with relevant public and private institutions, and incorporates key inputs gathered during the process. Accordingly, a dedicated Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure Fund has been established under the proclamation to support training, research, and technological capacity-building programs aimed at effectively implementing cybersecurity initiatives.
The new law also eliminates previous differences in enforcement and penalties between public and private institutions, ensuring equal and fair application across all critical infrastructure operators. In addition, it establishes legal accountability for any infrastructure owner, manager, or employee who intentionally causes harm or violates the law.
Finally, Dr. Dima explained that the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) is now legally required to regularly disclose current security conditions and cyber threat situations to the public. This measure is expected to enhance transparency and strengthen public awareness of cybersecurity issues in the country.
