The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched a Digital Financial Services (DFS) Security Testing Lab to enhance the security of DFS applications to further build the trust and confidence of consumers in the safety of these applications.
The Lab was launched at UCC House in Kampala on Wednesday as Uganda joined the rest of African to commemorate this year’s African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Day under the theme, “Enhancing Financial Inclusion through ICT.”
The Lab which was built with support from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to which Uganda is a member, will also provide a platform that brings together DFS providers and regulators to improve security of DFS mobile applications, enhance information security of DFS applications based on the various technologies, create awareness about DFS security risks and mitigation approaches.
The Lab also aims to ensure development of security assurance framework for telecom operators to better manage mobile payment risks and threats to their systems, and promote confidence in the use of DFS by collaborating with the different stakeholder by providing safe and secure infrastructure.
Uganda was selected to host/set up the Lab, and according UCC Executive Director, Irene Kagwa, Uganda looks forward to extending support to its neighbors around the continent.
Almost all financial institutions and Telecom operators in the country have developed mobile banking and Telecom applications that enable customers to transact and access financial services using their mobile phones or devices anywhere, anytime.
However, before these applications are launched, they must be tested to guarantee their security before they are introduced to customers.
Such applications can now be tested at the UCC’s DFS Security Testing Lab at Communications House in Kampala for free.
Uganda has 24.1 million active electronic money subscriptions, translating into national penetration rate of 56%. This means that more than 5 out of every 10 Ugandans partake in a billable electronic money service every 3 months.
Speaking at the launch of the Lap at UCC House in Kampala on Wednesday, the UCC Executive Director, Irene Kagwa said that given the importance of the financial services, and their inclusive importance in the socio economic development of the country, UCC found it necessary to ascertain how to improve security standards without hindering innovation.
“How do we support innovation to make sure that the innovations that are being developed continue to ensure there is trust and confidence in ICTs, that the products that are being developed are not at the peril of the consumers or users of the same,” she said.
Kagwa said the Lab will not only test DFS Applications, but every application developed in this respect.
“What will it test? Not just the telecom operators. It will be available again to all the applications that are developed in this respect and therefore you appreciate why we look at this as such a great opportunity and one that we think is going to be instrumental as we seek to ensure continued trust and confidence in ICTs so that we can harness them for the development of this country,” she said.
UCC said the Lab is free of charge, and called on all the developers of DFS Applications to have their apps tested.
