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Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Reporter
Sovereignty and integrity can no longer be defined by physical borders, but by how best a country has a safe and secure cyberspace, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said yesterday.
Speaking at the cyber security executive conference at the Zimbabwe National Defence University (ZNDU), running under the theme, ‘Think before you click#safe surfing’, he said: “Our coming here also underlines the importance of cyber security for the nation.
“For national security can no longer be defined only by the number of aeroplanes, the number of artillery that we have, but should also be defined by the cyber security that we have as a country.”
Dr Muswere said the national cyber security awareness month recently launched was focusing primarily on national cyber security awareness, including cyber security in the workplace, child online, emerging technologies and the importance of cyber security in national critical infrastructure.
“Our coming here to address members of the security forces, academia and various players in the ICT sector is mainly to raise awareness which is in line with International Telecommunication Union guidelines which specifically identify capacity building and also raising of awareness and sensitisation of the public on cyber security,” he said.
“It also recognises the importance of the establishment of a national computer incident response centre, the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks in order to strengthen the cyber space.”
ZNDU Vice Chancellor Air Vice Marshal Dr Michael Tedzani Moyo said the Government takes the cyber threats seriously.
“Covid-19 has significantly increased the digital footprints and exposure to cyber threats,” he said.
“As more communications, networks and traditional roles go online, so do the cyber threats.
“For us to seize the opportunities afforded by digitalisation, we must pay attention to the attaining threats against our critical national infrastructure such as electricity generation and distribution grids, communication networks and online payment platforms, among others.”
Air Vice Marshal Moyo said as an academic institution, ZNDU will continue to work with all cyber space stakeholders in identifying the cybersecurity needs for industry and transforming these needs into cyber security programmes.
Online Reporter