Protections against cyber threats still lacking

  • Cybercrime Act under review
  • Still no specialized station for the crime

KAGO KOMANE

Despite the current popularity of social media and its contribution to the increasing number of cyber-crime cases, government does not have a specialized station where cyber threats are reported and investigated. This is according to the Minister of Transport and Communication, Kitso Mokaila.
“Currently, the country does not have a centralized point where cyber threats and incidents are reported,” he said. He however told parliament on Friday that the ministry in collaboration with stakeholders has since developed a draft National Cyber Security Strategy which is intended to provide guidance on how the country will manage the threat of cyber-attacks and crimes. He said the draft strategy defines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in fighting cybercrime.
“Going forward, as per the recommendations of the draft strategy, various institutions will be established to deal with cyber-crimes. These institutions will be able to assist in quantifying damages caused by any incident, threat and attack including financial damage.” He stated that during the recent Wannacry Ransomware attack a few months ago, government data network had to be shut down as a precautionary measure but could not quantified any loss of revenue as he said no specific incidents were recorded.
Asked about the amount of damages in financial terms to companies and businesses that were affected the minister stated that, “Where there were incidents, some of the cases are before the courts while others are other investigation. As such, we have no record of any compensation that has been given to companies and businesses affected.”
He however said government is currently reviewing the Cybercrime and Computer related Crimes Act 2007 to address latest cyber-crime challenges.