An agreement was signed last week Thursday between Salt Essential IT and the Information and Communication Technology ministry to collaboratively undertake a joint National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Campaign. The aim of the campaign is to attain the goals and objectives of the National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan.
This is done with the view to influence the adoption of safer online behaviour and instil a culture of cyber-hygiene in citizens with the aim to avert incidences of cybercrime in Namibia.
Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana, executive director of the ICT ministry, said the initiative is crucial because dealing with cybersecurity requires passion, sensitivity for dealing with the nation’s delicate information, and sophistication for dealing with a sophisticated adversary. The executive director commended Salt Essential IT for partnering with the government “to catch this invisible bull by the horns”.
Ua-Ndjarakana themed the milestone event in maroon, a colour that represents depth, passion, and thoughtfulness. The colour blue, which represents sensitivity, imagination, inspiration, and black which represents mystery, power, and sophistication.
Sonja Coetzer, the managing director of Salt Essential IT, concluded: “The world needs more initiatives between government and the private sector to drive the 4IR and 5IR opportunities to challenge, empower and impact the citizens of the world. Cybersecurity plays a major role in technology advances to create job security, economic development, and growth.”
She also thanked the ministry for the opportunity to be part of this cybersecurity strategy and awareness campaign. As part of the campaign, Salt Essential IT will host cybersecurity awareness sessions to expose Namibians to the types of cybercrimes and how to protect themselves from it. The training sessions will also be made available on the ministry’s public forums. The sessions will be hosted at no cost to participants.