Government Secures National Internet Domain Following Cyber Incident
Authorities in Sierra Leone have restored security to the country’s national internet domain infrastructure following a cyber breach that temporarily compromised 44 website addresses, including key commercial platforms and a government domain.
According to official statements, unauthorized access to the CoCCA domain management system was detected on September 25, 2026. The incident raised immediate concerns over traffic redirection and potential phishing risks for visitors accessing affected sites.
The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation confirmed that technical teams contained the intrusion within hours of discovery, successfully reverting all domain configurations to their original settings.
Immediate protocols were enacted to block unauthorized entry points, neutralize the threat vector, and reinforce system controls. A comprehensive security review completed on October 8, 2026, confirmed no signs of ongoing unauthorized activity.
A subsequent security review found “no evidence of continuing unauthorised access” as of October 8, 2026, the Ministry said.
The breach appears to be part of a broader campaign targeting national domain registries across multiple regions. A security report published by Google on October 6 cited similar incidents affecting top-level domains in Ghana and American Samoa.
While normal operations have resumed, national cybersecurity personnel alongside international technical partners continue to investigate the root cause of the intrusion.
Ministry officials emphasized that enhanced monitoring and multi-layered defense mechanisms are being deployed to mitigate future risks to the country's critical digital infrastructure.
“The Government of Sierra Leone remains committed to safeguarding the country's digital infrastructure,” the Ministry said, adding that the public would be informed of significant developments.
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