Rudolf Gaiseb
Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus has urged online users to stop clicking on unfamiliar links without verifying.
Addressing the dangers of online crimes and the importance of cybersecurity at both the individual and organisational levels in Parliament on Wednesday, she pointed out that most cybercrimes are caused by human error.
She noted that cybercriminals excel at exploiting human nature.
“They [lure] victims with [malicious] ‘winning’ messages, and users share those messages on family groups and entertain unknown callers, telling them they won money from a competition they have never taken part in,” she described.
Others pose as celebrities and politicians, and ask for or offer money.
Users also fall victim to investment schemes, where they are asked to invest a certain amount of money and are promised the amount will be doubled or tripled within a certain period.
In many cases, these schemes are not legitimate.
“Let us be cautious about our online activities, as they mostly serve as clues to the cybercriminals. Cybercriminals, just like criminals in the streets, profile their targets until they get to them,” she said.
Exploitation
Many children will keep falling prey to online abuse, sexual exploitation or extortion if parents and guardians do not tighten control over children’s online behaviours.
Theofelus unmasked that most parents and guardians have no idea or pay no attention to what the children are doing or who they talk to while online.
To address this, the minister urged parents and guardians to fulfill their responsibilities in this digital age and ensure children do not remain online unsupervised.
“Providing unlimited access connectivity to children does not mean we are playing a parental role, but we should still exercise caution, as they are vulnerable and can easily be manipulated and exploited,” she said.
The minister implored that children’s behaviour must be observed to ensure they receive the help they require, as there are always signs that a child is troubled.
Currently, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is finalising the National Child Online Protection Guidelines/Toolkit to help children, parents, guardians and teachers understand online risks and prevention strategies.
Nevertheless, the ministry has recently launched a social media awareness campaign, preaching the ethical use of social media.
However, amidst this is the increasing concern about cybersecurity in the country, both on an individual and corporate level.
The Namibia Incidents Cybersecurity Incidents Report Team reported 1.1 million cyber threats and 1 million cyber vulnerabilities between January and June.
Theofelus noted that, while these threats are likely to occur, there is an urgent need to finalise comprehensive legislative frameworks for the protection of personal information and cybersecurity.
Legislation
Theofelus laid out that the cybersecurity legislation, which will heavily address this cybercrime menace, is in the pipeline.
The Cabinet’s Legislation Committee discussed the prominent Data Protection Bill.
The team is working on incorporating the comments for resubmission.
“I intend to table this Bill during the current sitting,” she remarked.
Secondly, the United Nations Children’s Fund is assisting to finalise the Cybercrime Bill incorporating the adopted United Nations Convention on Cybercrime.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations is certifying the Electronic Signature Regulations, developed in line with the Electronic Transactions Act, before the gazetting process to recognise electronic signatures and regulations on the accreditation of security services and products.
The Communications Amendment Act has also been redrafted and will soon be resubmitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
Regarding the Access to Information Act, she highlighted that nominations by non-governmental organisations for representatives to serve on the selection committee for the information commissioner and the deputy have been received for my consideration after the advertisement was placed in the newspapers.
The process ended, and it was forwarded to the Secretary of the National Assembly to compose the entire Selection Committee.
Moreover, the Cabinet approved the standardised Online Access to Information Data
Collection Tool to gather data on information disseminated to the public by offices, ministries and agencies as well as public entities.
“The Online Access to Information Tool will contribute to improved service delivery, more inclusive governance and ultimately socio-economic development through increased trust, reduced corruption and a more enabling environment for investment and innovation,” she added.