Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Chronicle Writer
THE Government is taking concrete steps to combat the rising threat of cybercrime by formulating a National Cyber Security Strategy, Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dingumuzi Phuti, has said.
Speaking at a Cybersecurity conference in Harare to kick-start National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, he emphasised the need for personal and national protection against cyber threats, highlighting the frequency with which they occur.
The conference was held in collaboration with Econet Wireless Zimbabwe under the theme, “Cyber Resilience: Together We Defend, Together We Thrive”.
Deputy Minister Phuti stressed the importance of safeguarding Zimbabwe’s digital economy, which he said is a key enabler of Vision 2030.
To accomplish this, he said the Government will adopt robust cybersecurity measures and strengthen cybersecurity awareness and collaboration across all sectors, including Government, businesses and individuals.
“We have started the ball rolling in formulating our National Cyber Security Strategy which will provide strategies on how we can holistically safeguard our information assets from these ever-increasing cyber threats,” he said.
“Today’s theme resonates profoundly in our current digital landscape, where the threats we face are both complex and pervasive.”
Deputy Minister Phuti said the country has in the past made good strides in addressing the cyberspace problems.
“In 2021, we promulgated the Cyber and Data Protection Act to criminalise a wide range of cybercrimes such as phishing, identity theft, hacking, cloning and malware victimisation. We also created mandatory requirements and guidelines for data protection officers and data handling respectively,” he said.
“In addition, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services in partnership with Huawei, initiated a cybersecurity training programme that benefited most ICT directors in our Government ministries, departments and agencies, local authorities as well as the Central Bank.”
He said plans are underway to extend the training to other senior civil servants, ministers and their deputies.
“We are thus fully committed to taking more steps to promote high standards of cybersecurity in Zimbabwe. As we embark on this critical journey towards greater cyber resilience, let us remember that we are stronger together,” he said.
“By collaborating, sharing knowledge and supporting one another, we can create a safer digital environment for all.”
Deputy Minister Phuti said there is a need to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and collaboration across all sectors.
“Government, the business community and individuals each have a crucial role in this endeavour. By sharing knowledge, resources and best practices, we can create a robust defence against cyber threats and ensure that we can thrive in the digital age.”
Deputy Minister Phuti emphasised the critical importance of public-private partnerships in establishing effective cybersecurity measures. He urged all stakeholders to come together and collaborate to create a safer digital environment for everyone in Zimbabwe.
“Investment in education and training is paramount. We must equip our workforce with the skills necessary to combat cybercrime effectively. Moreover, strong regulatory frameworks and policies will guide organisations in establishing comprehensive cybersecurity measures,” he said.
According to the 2023 Cybersecurity Ventures report, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach an astounding US$10,5 trillion annually by 2025.
In 2022, there was a staggering 105 percent increase in ransomware attacks compared to the previous year, affecting countless organisations and disrupting critical services.
Over 80 percent of reported security incidents were attributed to phishing attacks, highlighting the vulnerabilities that exist, including in well-guarded systems.
The average cost of a data breach soared to US$4,35 million, underlining the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. — @mthabisi_mthire
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