Dr Emmanuel C. Ogu, a lecturer of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, Department of Computer Science, School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, Babcock University, was selected, shortlisted and invited as a sponsored delegate to feature on an expert Panel at the First International Global Health Security (GHS) Conference 2019, which held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney, Australia, from 18-20 June 2019.
The Panel Session sought to discuss “Chemical and Cybersecurity Considerations” for GHS, and featured experts (researchers & practitioners, both as discussants and audience) from related fields in the broad security sector. The aim of the #GHS2019 Conference was to bring together stakeholders in Global Health Security, including practitioners, researchers, educators, representatives and decision-makers across the fields of public health, medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, government, defence, international relations, sociology and anthropology, to examine the progress made to date in strengthening health systems and identify the gaps and opportunities for enhancing the international community’s ability to respond more efficiently and effec-tively to future adverse health crises.
His discussions and contributions on the Panel were anchored on the findings and recommendations of a recently-concluded research which he carried out with a colleague, titled: “Health Security without Cybersecurity? Towards Robust Policy Frameworks for Securing Cyber-Physical Systems in Global Healthcare”.
According to Dr. Ogu, the research investigated policy imperatives for the security of cyber-physical systems in eHealth applications, as well as the information that they generate, manipulate and propagate; especially in light of the convoluting factors and policy loopholes that have insured the success of recent cyber-attacks in the global health sector. The research then went on to propose, from a technical perspective, policy recommendations for better security of cyber-physical systems, as well as other eHealth systems, tools, and technologies that are being applied in global healthcare.
One of the major focal agenda for the Conference was also to propose the Sydney Statement on Global Health Security, which was endorsed by various expert attendees from around the World. More information is available on the Conference Website: www.ghs2019.com.