The National Cybersecurity Coordination Committee (NCCC), in collaboration with the Seychelles Bankers Association (SBA), successfully held a cybersecurity awareness workshop yesterday.
The half-day workshop focused on strengthening cyber resilience, cross-sector collaboration, and alignment to international standards.
Key highlights from the workshop included presentations by NCCC members, namely Chairperson Mr. Paul Savy, Mr. Carlos Hoareau, and Mr. Raj Chetty. Together, they provided an in-depth overview of the current cyber threat landscape and the key risks facing financial institutions.
The team also introduced the National Cybersecurity Baseline, anchored on internationally recognized standards and shared practical guidance on strengthening resilience through incident response playbooks, enhanced data protection, vendor risk management, and sector-wide collaboration.
A member bank presented a real-world case study showing how adopting the baseline helped to prevent a major cyber incident.
The workshop emphasized that cyber resilience is a shared responsibility, and collaboration is essential to protecting Seychelles’ financial sector against evolving threats.
The NCCC will continue to work closely with the SBA and the Central Bank of Seychelles to provide support, share best practices, and build a stronger, safer digital future for all.
The second day of the three-day sensitization training on Trafficking in Persons, held in collaboration with the Department of Social Affairs, focused on equipping participants with practical skills to stay safe in the digital space and building their self-confidence to resist exploitation.
The sessions were delivered by members of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Committee (NCCC), who shared their expertise and real-world insights with participants.
The morning began with Mr. Carlos Hoareau presenting on the manipulation tactics traffickers often use to lure victims online, highlighting subtle and deceptive methods that can hide behind friendly messages, job offers, or enticing opportunities.
Chairperson Mr. Paul Savy and Vice Chairperson Sergeant Jerrold Morel of the NCCC then delved into guidelines on privacy settings, safe online communication, and how to recognise and avoid online predators. Their session offered valuable tips for safeguarding personal information and spotting red flags in the digital space.
Mr. Raj Chetty followed with a hands-on practice session in managing social media privacy, allowing participants to apply what they had learned and strengthen their online safety skills.
The team also shared insightful videos that reinforced the importance of online vigilance, alongside a powerful presentation on child trafficking that shed light on real-life dangers and warning signs.
In the afternoon, the NCCC team and the Director of Trafficking In Persons Ms. Michelle Sabury facilitated a session on building self-esteem and confidence, encouraging young people to trust their instincts, make informed decisions online, and develop the self-assurance needed to identify and respond to potential risks of exploitation.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs - Seychelles, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, is hosting the Commonwealth Symposium for Criminal Justice Officials on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence from March 12-14, 2025 at Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, Seychelles.
In his opening address, the Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized that,"Cyber crime threatens our nations' security and prosperity, exploiting the anonymity of the internet to cause financial fraud, data breaches, and infrastructure disruptions. To combat these evolving threats, we must work together, share knowledge, and strengthen our capacity to address cyber-crime and electronic evidence."
Key Discussions will included:
- Cybersecurity & resilience strategies
- Digital evidence & forensic investigations
- International cybercrime laws & cooperation Practical training & case studies
Members of the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Committee are actively participating in the discussions, reinforcing Seychelles' commitment to enhancing national cyber resilience.
With experts like Dr. Bright Gameli Mawudor, Zahid Jamil, and Dr. Tombari Sibe, this symposium fosters collaboration and innovation in tackling cyber threats.
The National Coordinating Committee on Communication (NCCC) hosted awareness session in collaboration with the Seychelles Association of Media Practitioners (AMPS) to mark World Press Freedom Day 2025 under this year’s global theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
During the session, held at REFLECS3, Bois de Rose, NCCC Chairperson Mr. Paul Savy stressed the importance of understanding how AI works, verifying facts, and being aware of the risks of misinformation and disinformation.
Cybersecurity and responsible AI use were key topics, as the NCCC continues to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity framework and promote governance in the digital space.
Through the national cybersecurity baseline and ongoing collaborations, NCCC aims to empower journalists, policymakers, and citizens alike to understand both the opportunities and risks posed by AI in media.
The event also featured insightful reflections from participants including representatives from the media and civil society, who acknowledged both the potential and the challenges of AI in journalism.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, represented Seychelles at the prestigious WeProtect Global Summit 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Under the theme “Focus on the Future,” the summit united global leaders, technology innovators, child protection experts, and survivors of child exploitation to address online child sexual abuse and promote a safer digital world.
During the event, Minister Fonseka highlighted Seychelles’ key achievements in cybersecurity, including:
- Enhancing online safety for children: With high mobile penetration rates, Seychelles is prioritizing robust measures to protect young users.
- The Virtual ID initiative: Designed to secure online transactions and improve identity verification, this system is paving the way for safer digital engagement.
- Strengthening cybersecurity through the National Cyber Coordination Committee (NCCC): The NCCC coordinates multi-sectoral responses to cyber threats, safeguards critical digital infrastructure, and fosters resilience against evolving challenges.
- Global collaboration: As a signatory to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, Seychelles actively works with organizations like the UNODC and EU NAVFOR to address cybercrime and organized crime in the Western Indian Ocean region.
Minister Fonseka also addressed the importance of international partnerships and innovation to create a safer digital future for children, emphasizing Seychelles’ dedication to being part of the global solution.
Accompanied by Ambassador Gervais Moumou, Mr. Paul Savy (Chairperson), and Sergeant Jerrold Morel (Vice Chairperson) of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Committee, Minister Fonseka also met with global leaders, including Baroness Joanna Shields OBE and UAE officials, to discuss strengthening global efforts against online child exploitation.
For more details about the summit, visit https://www.weprotect.org
The Cyber Security Authority Tabletop Exercise (TTX) brought together more than 50 I.T and communication professionals from government and private sectors, fostering teamwork and knowledge exchange. Participants had the unique opportunity to engage with the National Cyber Security Coordination Committee (NCCC), strengthening cross-sector collaboration for a more secure digital future.
The closing ceremony highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world. The British High Commissioner Mr. Jeff Glekin emphasized the need for continuous capacity building in the evolving cyber landscape and the importance of staying ahead of emerging threats. He commended the participants for their dedication to enhancing cybersecurity resilience and encouraged further collaboration between public and private sectors.
The Minister for Investment and Entrepreneurship, Devika Vidot, congratulated the participants and underscored the government’s commitment to digital transformation. She emphasized that cybersecurity is crucial to ensuring that digital systems remain secure, allowing government and businesses to operate efficiently and effectively. She also noted that such initiatives play a vital role in strengthening national cybersecurity frameworks and protecting critical infrastructure.
The enthusiasm and dedication of all involved reinforced the importance of working together to tackle cyber threats. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this initiative a success!
On September 3rd , 2024, Seychelles took a significant step in safeguarding its critical infrastructure with the inaugural meeting of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Committee (NCCC) which took place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This committee is dedicated to enhancing coordination, information sharing, and response capabilities to protect essential services, including public utilities and communication systems, from cyber threats.
The NCCC's diverse membership, including representatives from the public and private sectors including law enforcement, will meet regularly to address cybersecurity challenges. The committee's efforts include modernizing outdated infrastructure classifications, improving response coordination and raising awareness of cybersecurity best practices on a national level. The Minister warmly welcomed the newly formed committee and pledged unwavering support for the critical work that lies ahead. He emphasized the importance of their mission and expressed confidence in their ability to safeguard the nation's digital infrastructure, ensuring a secure and resilient future for Seychelles.
The NCCC will collaborate closely with the Cyber Secretariat within the Ministry of Internal Affairs to integrate its work into the national cybersecurity strategy.
With a clear mission and proactive approach, the NCCC will play a crucial role in securing Seychelles' digital future.