Rokel Commercial Bank (RCBank) has intensified its commitment to promoting digital safety, financial inclusion and cybersecurity awareness with the successful hosting of the third edition of the Walton Gilpin Cyber Circuit Series, a specialised programme designed to equip Sierra Leoneans with practical skills to navigate the growing challenges of the digital age.
The event, held on Thursday, 16th July 2026, at the DBIM-DBAM Hall on Wellington Street in Freetown, brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, students, professionals and members of the public for an engaging cybersecurity and digital financial empowerment session.
Organised in strategic partnership with CEST Applied Intelligence UK, the programme was held under the theme, “Protecting Our Communities in the Digital Age,” and focused on strengthening public awareness around cybersecurity threats, digital safety practices and responsible use of financial technology platforms.
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, emphasised the need for individuals, businesses and institutions to adopt proactive measures in protecting themselves against cybercrime.
Dr. Gilpin stressed that prevention remains one of the strongest tools in combating cyber threats, noting that people must understand the tactics used by cybercriminals in order to stay ahead of potential attacks.
“The best form of defence is attack,” Dr. Gilpin stated, explaining that individuals and organisations must take deliberate steps to identify and address cyber risks before they become victims.
He highlighted the important role financial institutions play in protecting customers’ funds and sensitive information, but noted that customers also have a shared responsibility to safeguard the devices, accounts and digital platforms they use for financial transactions.
According to him, the rapid expansion of digital banking and online services has created new opportunities for economic growth, but it has also increased exposure to cyber threats such as identity theft, phishing, online fraud and unauthorised access to personal information.
The RCBank Chief Executive Officer warned that careless sharing of personal information online can provide opportunities for criminals to exploit individuals for financial gain.
“Everything you share online has value. Criminals are constantly looking for opportunities to use your personal information against you. Protect your identity, protect your finances and think carefully before sharing sensitive information,” he advised.
Dr. Gilpin encouraged participants to develop strong cybersecurity habits, including securing mobile phones and computers with passwords, regularly updating software and applications, downloading applications only from trusted sources, protecting personal identification numbers (PINs) and One-Time Passwords (OTPs), verifying transaction details before transferring funds and paying close attention to banking alerts.
He explained that adopting these simple but effective practices can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams and digital financial crimes.
The programme featured practical demonstrations on securing Android and iPhone devices, protecting mobile and internet banking applications, enabling two-step verification on WhatsApp accounts, strengthening Gmail security through multi-factor authentication, protecting social media accounts and identifying common online scams.
Participants were also educated on various forms of cyber fraud, including phishing attacks, fake investment schemes, romance scams, lottery scams and other deceptive online activities commonly used by fraudsters.
Beyond cybersecurity awareness, the event also provided a platform for financial empowerment, particularly targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, traders, fishermen, women-led businesses and young business owners.
During the financial empowerment session, participants received guidance on accessing SME loans, preparing successful loan applications, managing business finances, separating personal and business expenses, improving cash flow management and building sustainable enterprises.
The interactive nature of the programme allowed participants to engage directly with cybersecurity specialists and banking professionals through live demonstrations, real-life cyber threat scenarios, question-and-answer sessions and networking opportunities.
The initiative forms part of Rokel Commercial Bank’s broader commitment to promoting financial literacy, digital inclusion and responsible use of technology as Sierra Leone continues to embrace digital transformation.
The successful conclusion of the Walton Gilpin Cyber Circuit Series 3 reaffirmed RCBank’s dedication to empowering citizens with the knowledge and tools required to participate safely in the digital economy.
As cyber threats continue to evolve globally, the bank reiterated its call for collective responsibility, urging individuals, businesses and institutions across Sierra Leone to remain informed, adopt safe online practices and work together to build a more secure digital environment.