Cybersecurity is a necessity - Tshere

In a world where almost everything in our financial sector, health, education, communications, energy, water, and government services is increasingly connected, cybersecurity is not a luxury but a necessity.This was said by the Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, this week when launching the Cybersecurity awareness month in Mogoditshane.The minister stated that in Botswana, the Government has made digital transformation one of its priorities to improve government service delivery.This, he said, has been demonstrated by the Ministry’s enactment of the Digital Services Act to address challenges in developing digital services in Botswana and to accelerate Botswana’s digital transformation agenda.“This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is commemorated under the theme, 'Building Cyber Resilience for now and for the future,' (Go itshetlela mo tirisong yamaranyane go tswa gompieno, go ya pele).This theme is aligned with Botswana National Cybersecurity Strategy’s strategic objective: To raise and promote Cyber Security awareness among the general public.He also noted that the private sector is embarking on this transformation journey as well, especially the Internet banking and mobile money services. He added, “Botswana of today and tomorrow will grow to depend on digital infrastructure and services; therefore, our assets, our possessions, will be accessible in cyberspace. The economy is being transformed digitally, and everyone will be affected.”The minister explained that as Botswana’s digital footprint continues to expand, so will be the interests of those with ill intentions, so too does the country’s obligation to safeguard that space, to protect its citizens, and to ensure that opportunity in cyberspace is secure, inclusive, and trustworthy.“This year’s theme is a reminder to us as a nation that cyber threats are real, evolving, and a risk to everyone of us. Therefore, we need to build resilience as a nation.We need to prepare for any cyber threats now and in the future. As the threats become more complex, we should be more aware and vigilant; our ability to respond and recover should be stronger”, said the minister.Tshere said this resilience starts with education, because of its global connectedness, the Internet has a wide range of risks and threats that go beyond Botswana’s borders.He highlighted that while ICTs have improved the lives of ordinary Batswana, different types of threats and risks range from relatively low-level ones, such as fake news, to high-level risks such as financial crimes and even interference with the country’s ICT systems."There is, therefore, a need for Batswana to be more vigilant and well informed on how they can protect their data in cyberspace," Tshere said.The minister told the gathering that ICT-enabled Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) such as electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications, commerce, and health are susceptible to various cyber risks and threats since they rely on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to deliver their services.Tshere indicated that Cyber-attacks on CNI could have negative consequences for national security, the economy, or the well-being of citizens of the country.Tshere said threats such as ransomeware, phishing, social engineering poses risks such as financial loss, operational loss, repetitional damage posed to them.“Talking of education, today we are also launching 'Twantsho Botsotsi' campaign against cybercrime. As most of you might be aware, a number of our citizens have fallen victims to scams, fraud and other cybercrime activities.To combat this, one of our local civil societies, Cybersmart Botswana, in partnership with BoFiNet have taken the initiative to educate our citizens, especially the elderly, about the risks posed by cybercriminals,” the minister said.He revealed that as part of the campaign, BoFiNet and Cybersmart team will be going around the country, visiting different Dikgotla to educate and inform citizens on cyber-resilient behaviour that will minimise their risks of falling prey to cyber criminals."As we launch this Cyber Awareness Month, let us commit not only to being informed, but to being involved, said Tshere, adding that everyone should strive to build digitally safe spaces for the children, the economy, and the country."

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Cybersecurity is a necessity - Tshere