As internet connectivity expands across Somalia, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, activists, and journalists increasingly rely on digital platforms for communication, coordination, and advocacy. However, this digital shift brings an array of challenges, including trolling, doxing, hacking, targeted surveillance, online harassment, smear campaigns, and disinformation. These threats are particularly pronounced for women-led organizations and marginalized groups, often resulting in severe consequences such as self-censorship, staff turnover, physical threats, mental health impacts, and even forced displacement.
Recognizing these vulnerabilities, the Puntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO), in collaboration with the Bareedo Platform, launched a pivotal initiative to bolster the digital safety capacities of local organizations. Over three days, from March 2 to March 4, 2024, in Garowe, Somalia, 108 nonprofit and human rights organizations received training in digital security. This training aimed to equip them with the skills and tools needed to safeguard their online activities and digital assets, ensuring long-term resilience against cyber threats.
The Need for Digital Safety Training
Data collected by Bareedo Platform between 2021 and the first quarter of 2023 underscores the growing prevalence of digital security threats faced by Somali civil society. Women journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and marginalized groups are disproportionately targeted. Alarmingly, 72% of these groups had never participated in digital security training, and 79% lacked cybersecurity plans, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
These gaps in knowledge and resources create significant barriers to maintaining a secure online presence. Organizations often express feelings of helplessness when confronted with surveillance, harassment, and other online threats, with many lacking the budget to hire cybersecurity experts or conduct vulnerability assessments.
Training Highlights
The training was inaugurated by Mr. Abdikhayr Hussein from PUNTNGO and Bareedo Platform, who highlighted the initiative’s significance and encouraged participants to actively engage with the material. Mr. Mohamed Esse, Director General of the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology of Puntland State, officially opened the training, emphasizing the responsibility of organizations to protect their data and the communities they serve.
The training, facilitated by a professional digital security expert, was tailored to address the specific challenges faced by Somali organizations. Key topics covered included:
- Understanding Digital Threats: Participants learned about common threats such as phishing, ransomware, malware, password vulnerabilities, social engineering, censorship, and surveillance. Special emphasis was placed on threats targeting women and LGBTQ+ groups, such as cyber-harassment, trolling, doxing, and non-consensual image distribution.
- Securing Devices and Data: The sessions covered basic security setups for computers and mobile devices, data backup procedures, and methods to protect against theft or hacking. Recommendations were provided for secure apps and software to enhance device security.
- Protecting Social Media Accounts: Training included strategies for securing social media platforms, reporting fake accounts, responding to online harassment, and verifying accounts to maintain authenticity and safety.
- Utilizing Secure Communication Tools: Participants explored secure platforms for communication, meetings, and operational management, along with instructions on activating SOS systems for emergencies.
- Conducting Digital Risk Assessments: The training emphasized the importance of identifying vulnerabilities through technology assessments and provided a framework for developing comprehensive digital security strategies.
- Developing Digital Security Policies: Organizations learned how to integrate digital risk management into their standard operating procedures (SOPs) and create tailored security policies.
Support and Follow-Up
To ensure the training’s long-term impact, a digital safety assessment survey was conducted among participating organizations prior to the sessions. This assessment informed the training curriculum, ensuring relevance to the unique challenges faced by the participants. Following the training, a digital security expert was engaged to provide virtual one-on-one technical support. This included diagnostics, policy development, and hands-on guidance to further enhance the digital security practices of approximately 100 civil society organizations.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a crucial step toward building a resilient civil society in Puntland, Somalia. By equipping local organizations with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape safely, PUNTNGO with support of Bareedo Platform is fostering a more secure and empowered community capable of sustaining their critical work in the face of evolving threats.
