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Tina Musonza Herald Correspondent
Cyber security is a shared responsibility and there is need for concerted efforts to build a safer cyberspace for citizens, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has said.
Speaking during a cyber security high level dialogue held at the University of Zimbabwe yesterday.
“As a ministry, we believe that cyber security is our shared responsibility and we need concerted efforts to build a better and safer cyberspace for our citizens,” he said.
“I hope to see a strong collaboration between all the stakeholders involved today and come up with their own key initiatives, programmes and measures to tackle the online risks for our children and young people and protect them from accessing risky content as well as engaging in negative online behaviour.”
Analysts have already predicted that the next shock to the global economy would manifest itself in the form of a cyber attack.
Minister Muswere said it was imperative for Zimbabweans to begin to work on how to secure and protect their infrastructure.
“As we journey towards Vision 2030, we should always know that the security and territorial integrity will not only be defined by the amount of artillery that we have (and) by the amount of ammunition that we have, but it will also be defined by cybersecurity and is very critical as we work on ensuring in that we achieve micro economic,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Dr Beullah Chirume said they were focusing on four thematic areas which are safeguarding the national critical infrastructure, emerging technologies, cyber security in the workplace and child online safety.
Head of analytics and informatics department at the UZ, Dr Kudakwashe Zvarevashe, said they have already embarked on several degree programmes that speak to the issues faced across economic sectors.
“Our students are developing solutions to the problems we are facing. Our primary role is to develop solutions that will protect you as a citizen, company and as an organisation so that your information won’t get stolen or you won’t lose millions and billions,” he said.
The Government is working with POTRAZ and the International Telecommunications Union in setting up a National Computer Incident Response Team(NCIRT) to provide a focal point for incident reporting and response in the country as a way of creating a safe environment for every citizen.
Online Reporter