Police force, IAA team up to curb cybercrimes

THE Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) and the Tanzania Police Force (TPF) have joined forces to tackle cybercrime in the country.

The collaboration will see the parastatal educational institution offer professional training to police in deterring cyber related crimes.

Speaking here over the weekend, IAA Rector, Professor Amani Sedoyeka said the rolled out courses for the officers include Bachelor of Arts Degree on Cyber Security and the Bachelor of Arts Degree on Peace, Security and Strategic Studies.

“Those with higher GPAs will continue with a Master’s Degree in the same courses,” he said.

According to Professor Sedoyeka, cybercrime was becoming rampant in the society with its statistics escalating, both in scale and complexity.

“Tanzania hasn’t been spared in the scourge, we therefore need to work closely with our officers, equipping them with sophisticated skills of curbing the crime,” observed the IAA Rector.

Each year, cybercrime causes significant financial losses and reputational damage.

In the post-pandemic digital age, most businesses conduct their business online, using systems, networks, software, and apps that instantaneously connect them to every corner of the world.

While this connectivity enables business operations from anywhere, this increased use of connected platforms presents increased risks.

In his rejoinder, Tanzania’s Inspector General of Police, Camilius Wambura, commended the joint initiative, saying it will greatly address the vice.

According to the Chief Police Boss, the collaboration was part of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to the Police Force, made in August last year.

The Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces urged the officers to fully embrace and incorporate the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in their daily operations.

“I am very optimistic that this new collaboration will bear good fruits, especially considering the fact that the IAA is one of the institutions with experts in the digital field,” he added.

Official statistics about the trend of cybercrimes in Tanzania are hard to find but some Tanzania government officials have claimed reduction of the high rate of cybercrime, theft or fraud in the country since the government enacted the legislation in 2015.