Legislation to safeguard Namibia against cybercrime
2.7m cyberattacks recorded in 2022
The cybersecurity incident response team is a protection mechanism for the digital value chain, Mathe said.
Two pieces of legislation - set to be tabled by the information and communication technology ministry - will protect Namibia against mass cybercrime.
Speaking during a cybersecurity incident response team (CSIRT) induction initiative yesterday, executive director Audrin Mathe said Namibia has observed an increase in misuse of available internet platforms by criminals to carry out cyberattacks, and recorded 2.7 million such attacks last year.
"The ministry is preparing to table two pieces of legislation in parliament that will give impetus to the work of CSIRT,” Mathe said.
“The Data Protection and Cybercrime Bills will provide a cohesive and resilient cybersecurity and data protection ecosystem. These legislative initiatives are harmonised with corresponding policy and legislative structures. With these instruments in place, Namibia will be better prepared, adept and vigilant against the threats that include phishing attacks, ransomware, cyberbullying and child online vulnerability.”
Such incidents "interfere with the integrity" of Namibia's critical information infrastructure, he added.
Protection mechanism
"Cabinet approved the national cybersecurity strategy and awareness-raising plan. The strategy outlines modalities to safeguard the public's privacy and to educate and create awareness, information-sharing and collaboration on cybersecurity and cybercrimes," Mathe said.
According to him, CSIRT will serve as a central point of contact to identify, defend, respond to and manage cyber threats.
It will further develop a proactive incident response plan, test for and resolve system vulnerabilities, maintain strong security best practices and provide support for all incident handling measures, the executive director said.
"CSIRT is not a policing tool, as that remains the role of law enforcement. It will serve as a protection mechanism for consumers, business enterprises and the complete digital value chain. I, therefore, encourage all constituents to support the work of CSIRT," he noted.
Speaking during a cybersecurity incident response team (CSIRT) induction initiative yesterday, executive director Audrin Mathe said Namibia has observed an increase in misuse of available internet platforms by criminals to carry out cyberattacks, and recorded 2.7 million such attacks last year.
"The ministry is preparing to table two pieces of legislation in parliament that will give impetus to the work of CSIRT,” Mathe said.
“The Data Protection and Cybercrime Bills will provide a cohesive and resilient cybersecurity and data protection ecosystem. These legislative initiatives are harmonised with corresponding policy and legislative structures. With these instruments in place, Namibia will be better prepared, adept and vigilant against the threats that include phishing attacks, ransomware, cyberbullying and child online vulnerability.”
Such incidents "interfere with the integrity" of Namibia's critical information infrastructure, he added.
Protection mechanism
"Cabinet approved the national cybersecurity strategy and awareness-raising plan. The strategy outlines modalities to safeguard the public's privacy and to educate and create awareness, information-sharing and collaboration on cybersecurity and cybercrimes," Mathe said.
According to him, CSIRT will serve as a central point of contact to identify, defend, respond to and manage cyber threats.
It will further develop a proactive incident response plan, test for and resolve system vulnerabilities, maintain strong security best practices and provide support for all incident handling measures, the executive director said.
"CSIRT is not a policing tool, as that remains the role of law enforcement. It will serve as a protection mechanism for consumers, business enterprises and the complete digital value chain. I, therefore, encourage all constituents to support the work of CSIRT," he noted.
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Namibian Sun
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