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Information Network Security Administration
AbbreviationINSA
Formation2006
Location
Director General
Tigist Hamid
Parent organization
Office of Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Websitehttps://www.insa.gov.et

The Information Network Security Administration or INSA (Amharic: የኢንፎርሜሽን መረብ ደህንነት አስተዳደር, romanized: Yeinformation Mereb Dehninet Astedader) is Ethiopia's primary agency responsible for safeguarding the nation's interests in cyberspace. Initially established in 2006 as the Information Network Security Agency under Council of Ministers Regulation No. 130/2006, INSA's primary objective was to protect the country's information and communication technologies from threats to national security. Over time, INSA's roles and responsibilities have evolved to address the increasing complexity of cyber threats.

Creation and Changes

[1]The Information Network Security Administration (INSA) commenced its historical journey inside the Ethiopian Army in 2006. It gained a legal personality when it was established as the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) under the Council of Ministers Regulation No. 130/2006.

The objective of the then Agency was to ensure that the country’s use of information and information communication network technologies and telecommunication in the implementation of its peace, democratization, and development programs is without risk to national security.

However, as it became necessary to redefine the duties and responsibilities of the then Agency to defend against progressively complicating cyber-crime and protect the national interest, the Agency was reestablished under the Information Network Security Agency Reestablishment Council of Ministers Regulation No. 250/2011.

In 2013, the Agency was endowed with more updated duties and responsibilities and reestablished with Information Network Security Agency Reestablishment Proclamation No. 808/2013.

In 2021, based on the Definition of Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Proclamation No. 12632021, INSA was renamed Information Network Security Administration.

Major Duties and Responsibilities[2]

  • Development and Implementation: Research and study based information and computer based critical infrastructures security products and services.
  • Policy and Oversight: Draft national policies, laws, standards, and strategies to ensure the security of information and computer based key infrastructures, and oversee their enforcement upon approval.
  • Cyber Defense: Take all necessary countermeasures to defend against any cyber or electromagnetic attacks on information and computer based infrastructures or systems, or on citizens’ psychology.
  • Security Audits: Conduct information or computer based critical infrastructures security audits at any time.
  • Emergency Response: Organize and administer a national computer emergency response center.
  • Digital Forensics: Conduct digital forensic investigations.
  • Cryptographic Regulation: Regulate cryptographic products and their transactions.
  • Root Certificate Authority: Serve as a national Root Certificate Authority.
  • Oversight of Imports and Exports: Control the import and export of information technology, information sensor, and information attacking technologies.
  • Spatial Data Infrastructure: Develop and administer national spatial data infrastructure.
  • Threat Analysis: Collect, analyze, and disseminate information on transboundary national security threat activities.
  • Collaboration and Intelligence: Collaborate nationally and internationally to enhance cybersecurity.

Vision

[3] National Capability: To realize national capability that ensures information superiority.

Mission

[4]National Interest Protection: To protect the national interest by building a capability that enables safeguarding the country’s information and information infrastructures.

Values

  • Resilience
  • Making a Difference
  • Integrity
  • Respect for the People
  • Respect for the Law[5]

Recent Developments

In 2021, INSA moved to a new headquarters, a state of the art building constructed near Wello Sefer. This new facility, which cost Br 2.1 billion to build, is a shared space, housing several significant institutions:

Contact Information

Phone: +251113717114

Fax: +251113204037

P.O. BOX: 124498

Facebook: INSA Ethiopia

Address: Wollo Sefer, Ethio China St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Leadership and Structure

The Information Network Security Administration (INSA) of Ethiopia has undergone several leadership changes over the years. Here is a summary of its recent leaderships:

  1. Tigist Hamid - Initially joined INSA as Deputy Director and assumed the role of Director General in February 2024. She currently holds the position of Director General at INSA.[6]
  2. Solomon Soka - Started as Deputy Director and later became the Director General in August 2022, serving until February 2024. He is currently serving as the State Minister at Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS)
  3. Shumete Gizaw - led INSA as Director General from February 2020 to 2022, overseeing the inauguration of its current headquarters.
  4. Temesgen Tiruneh - Appointed as Director General on April 20, 2018. He later moved to lead the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS)​ and is currently appointed Deputy Prime Minister​ of Ethiopia.

In October 2018, INSA's responsibility was transferred to the Ministry of Peace but was later reverted back to the Office of the Prime Minister in October 2021​.



  1. ^ "መግቢያ - INSA". insa.gov.et. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  2. ^ "ተግባር እና ሃላፊነት - INSA". insa.gov.et. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  3. ^ "ተግባር እና ሃላፊነት - INSA". insa.gov.et. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  4. ^ "ተግባር እና ሃላፊነት - INSA". insa.gov.et. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  5. ^ "ተግባር እና ሃላፊነት - INSA". insa.gov.et. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  6. ^ "PM Appoints Redwan as NISS Director, Tigist as INSA Director – Ethiopian Monitor". 2024-02-08. Retrieved 2024-06-27.