Cybersecurity strategy well on track, ministry says

Development of legal frameworks in the pipeline
A register of Namibia's national critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure has been developed, and institutions of higher learning have increased expertise in cybersecurity fields.
Iréne-Mari van der Walt
  • 1 Month Ago
After the National Cybersecurity Strategy was launched in 2022, a senior public relations officer for the ministry of information and communication technology ministry, Shoki Kandjimi, shared that the ministry is satisfied with the progress it has made in the implementation of this strategy.

Thus far, the ministry has undertaken numerous agreements with local stakeholders such as Salt Essential IT for the provision of cybersecurity and digital safety workshops with various stakeholders and the public, as well as Lifeline/Childline Namibia with the objective of raising cybersecurity awareness among parents and children.

At present, the development of legal frameworks for data protection and cybercrime remains an objective for the ministry. Namibia's aspirations for laws to prevent and regulate cybercrime are on course to celebrate their 20th anniversary next year as regulations of this nature were initially drafted as part of the Electronic Transactions and Cybercrime Bill, for which work began in 2005.

"Following extensive stakeholders’ engagements, the Data Protection Bill has been submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation for discussion and direction on the next course of action," Kandjimi said of the most recent developments in the creation of legislation for data protection.

A register of Namibia's national critical infrastructure and critical information infrastructure has been developed, and the spokesperson shared that institutions of higher learning have increased the expertise in cybersecurity fields of late. "Some have introduced short courses on cybersecurity as well as blockchain in combating cybercrimes and offered them to participants from various industries," he said.

Kandjimi also noted that the establishment of the National Security and Cyber Incidence Report Team (NSCIRT) is set to play a vital role in creating a cyber-resilient Namibia. "This body plays a critical role in the fight against cybercrimes as it serves as a national focal point for coordinating cyber security incidents and responding to cyber-attacks in the country."

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) did not comment on the functions and establishment of the NSCIRT at the time of going to print.

For the completion of the national cybersecurity strategy, Kandjimi said collaboration at national, regional and global level is vital. The finalising of the draft bills for data protection and cybercrime is also to be done to enable the completion of the cybersecurity strategy.



- irene-mari@nmh-hub.com.na