11 Mar 2021

It is imperative for Botswana to build a local cyber security culture that promotes the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), says Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Thulagano Segokgo.

Mr Segokgo said this at a virtual cyber security symposium, organised by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) under the theme: ‘Our Cyber state of affairs: Securing Botswana’ cyberspace for all’.

He said with technology and the internet currently being the main drivers of socio-economic and structural development globally, Botswana must forge ahead in preparing to embrace the change and have a safer cyber spectrum.

Mr Segokgo said government comprehended the need to provide a safe, resilient and viable cyberspace hence the approval last October of the first National Cybersecurity Strategy.

He outlined its objectives as achieving a secure and resilient cyberspace, enhancing capacity and capability, promoting cybersecurity awareness and fostering research and development; enhancing stakeholder collaboration and cooperation at national, regional and international levels as well as harnessing cyberspace for socio-economic development.

Minister Segokgo said his ministry was working on implementing the strategy as well as reviewing laws, building  structures such as the National Computer Incident Response Teams and coordinating national efforts on cyber security.

Noting that the symposium aligned with the strategy, he said it was  pleasing that BIUST and its partners had started promoting cyber awareness and building capacity.

Mr Segokgo said digitalization, digitization and digital transformation process was a double-edged sword in that while it promoted transparency, convenience, efficiency and productivity, there were security challenges associated with it.

Criminals were now borderless due to the internet and technology and pursue high yield crimes with less chance of being caught, he noted.

He said government had therefore formulated the Smart Botswana Strategy aimed at transforming the public sector to provide safe and efficient services.

Government, he said,  had started a number of digitalization projects citing upgrading of the National Identification System, a process that would lead to the introduction of biometric national identity card, as well as  development of a system for integration of all ministry systems.

Other projects the Minister Segokgo mentioned were the development of online visa and local passport application platforms as well as internet connection in schools and procurement of ICT learning devices for all learners and teachers from Standard Five to Form Five.

He said despite its devastating effects, COVID-19 had propelled Botswana towards digitalization  noting that a number of local ICT solutions and willingness to use or adopt technology were witnessed during the pandemic.

Minister Segokgo said government, parastatals and private sector had all taken steps to ensure that employees worked virtually from home thus increasing the use of ICT by individuals.

“Virtual events such as BIUST - Science Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) online festivals, graduations by various institutions, online teaching by various local schools and universities, including BIUST, are evidence to how the country embraced technology,” he said.

Further stressing the need  for cyber security, Minister Segokgo said it was imperative for averting situations such as in 2019 when some considered COVID-19 a great opportunity for financial benefit adding that  people were still falling prey to scams through COVID-19 related content.

“A recent example is a fake COVID-19 information app alleged to be from WHO, which was created to steal browser cookies, passwords, browser history and transaction information. In addition healthcare systems are not spared as they are being attacked with ransomware where patients’ records confidentiality and integrity are being compromised,” he said.

He said from February to date, there had been a 220 times increase in spam email and 260 per cent in malicious URLs as well as attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), malicious websites and social media messaging, business email compromise, cyber bullying, cyber stalking and social engineering and violations of privacy such as exposing of individuals’ personal information without consent. ENDS