13 Aug 2017

Parliament has been informed that between 2015 and July 2017, 12 cases of cybercrime relating to pornography, website defacement, ransomware and threatening emails were reported and investigated by the Botswana Police.

In response to a parliamentary question on Friday, Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Kitso Mokaila  however  said that no incidents of cyber-attacks were reported to Botswana Police during the recent Wannacry Ransomware in 2017.

He said currently, the country does not have a centralised point where cyber threats and incidents are reported and he is unable to indicate the source of any such cyber-attacks and incidents.

Mr Mokaila said his ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed a Draft National Cybersecurity Strategy which is intended to provide guidance on how the country will manage the threat of cyber-attacks and crimes.

He stated that the draft strategy defines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in fighting cybercrime.

“We are unable to quantify any financial damages for reported cybercrime cases, since the affected companies and business have either not recorded or shared information to that effect,” he said.

Mr Mokaila said with regard to the recent Wannacry of 2017, the government data network was shut down as a precautionary measure and any loss of revenue cannot be quantified considering that no specific incidents were recorded.

He noted that going forward and as per the recommendations of the draft strategy, various institutions will be established to deal with cyber-crimes.

He said the institutions will be able to assist in quantifying damages caused by any incident, threat and attack including financial damage.

The minister said where there were incidents, some cases are before the courts while others are still under investigation, adding that as such there is no record of any compensation that has been given to companies and businesses affected.

He said  government is currently reviewing the Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act of 2007 to address some of the latest cyber-crime challenges.

MP Abram Kesupile of Kanye South had asked the minister to state the incidences of cyber-attack reported in the country, the source of the attacks as well as the amount of damage in financial terms to companies or businesses affected.

Mr Kesupile wanted to know how the perpetrators were dealt with and the quantum of compensation that affected companies and businesses. ENDS