Monrovia – An Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist at Liberia’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, who also serves as the ECOWAS Cybersecurity Focal Point for Liberia, has raised concerns over the region’s growing digital vulnerabilities.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Victor K. Jarlwood, Jr. cited weak legal frameworks, limited technical expertise, and poor public awareness as major contributors to the increasing cybersecurity risks facing Liberia and the broader West African region.
Following Liberia’s historic qualification as one of the Top 30 teams selected worldwide to participate in the GISEC GLOBAL 2025 Cybersecurity Competition, Jarlwood stressed the urgent need for regional collaboration to strengthen digital defenses.
“West Africa’s cybersecurity space is vulnerable and under constant threat due to several factors—particularly the lack of robust legal provisions, insufficient technical expertise, and low public awareness,” Jarlwood noted. “To effectively address these threats, governments across the region, including Liberia, must prioritize cybersecurity skills development, strengthen legal frameworks, raise public awareness, and engage international partners for technical cooperation.”
Speaking in an interview following his return to Monrovia, Jarlwood expressed disappointment that Liberia—like many West African countries—still lacks a comprehensive legal framework to regulate and protect its cyberspace, especially against social media fraud and other forms of cybercrime.
Liberia made history by securing a spot among the Top 30 national teams selected to compete in the GISEC GLOBAL 2025 Cybersecurity, Ransomware Training, and Capture the Flag (CTF) Competition—an event that broke more than 11 Guinness World Records and is now recognized as the largest cybersecurity competition in the world.
The global contest brought together cybersecurity experts and national teams from over 160 countries in a high-stakes environment to test real-world cyber defense skills.
Under the leadership of Victor K. Jarlwood, Jr., known in the competition as “Cyberdon,” Team Liberia earned 10th place in the individual category—a remarkable achievement that drew international attention to the country’s growing cyber potential.
“It wasn’t easy competing against global cybersecurity giants, but we stood our ground,” Jarlwood said. “Being part of an event that not only united the global cyber community but also broke more than 11 Guinness World Records is something Team Liberia will never forget. We’re proud to have made history.”
GISEC GLOBAL 2025 has been hailed as a groundbreaking event, setting new records in participation, scale, and global impact. Liberia’s strong showing has not only elevated its reputation in global cybersecurity but also spotlighted the country’s emerging cyber talent.
With new regional and international cybersecurity events on the horizon, Jarlwood is urging government agencies, private sector institutions, and global development partners to support Liberia’s cybersecurity development efforts.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “With sustained investment and collaboration, we can build a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in Liberia and continue to represent our country with pride on the world stage.”
This landmark achievement underscores the critical need for Liberia to invest in cyber education, infrastructure, and innovation—laying the groundwork for the nation to become a future leader in global digital defense.
