The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has reinforced its commitment to safeguarding the country’s digital infrastructure by hosting a DNS Resilience and DNSSEC Capacity Building Workshop, bringing together key stakeholders from across the ICT sector and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address, Acting Chief Executive Fikile Gama underscored the critical importance of the Domain Name System (DNS), describing it as the backbone of the internet and a vital enabler of the modern digital economy.
He emphasized that while DNS operates largely behind the scenes, its disruption can have far-reaching consequences on economic activity, essential services, and public confidence.
Gama highlighted notable global cyber incidents to illustrate the urgency of strengthening DNS resilience. He referenced the 2016 cyberattack on a major DNS provider, which disrupted access to globally recognized platforms such as Twitter, Spotify, and Netflix, affecting millions of users. He further pointed to a more recent 2025 domain management incident that impacted over 3,500 companies worldwide, demonstrating how vulnerabilities in DNS infrastructure can trigger widespread disruptions across interconnected systems.
Citing global cybersecurity research, Gama revealed that up to 87 percent of organisations have experienced DNS-related attacks within a year, with the majority resulting in service downtime. He noted that such disruptions are not merely technical setbacks but translate into financial losses, reputational harm, and diminished user trust.
“For Eswatini, these are not distant events but clear warnings,” Gama said. “As our economy becomes increasingly digital, the reliability and security of DNS infrastructure is directly tied to national stability and economic resilience.”
He stressed that key sectors including financial services, telecommunications, education, and government now depend heavily on stable and secure digital systems. Any disruption at the DNS level, he warned, could halt financial transactions, interrupt communications, and undermine the delivery of public services.
Gama reaffirmed the Commission’s role in fostering a secure ICT environment through regulatory frameworks, quality of service standards, and stakeholder engagement. He noted that ECC continues to collaborate with national cybersecurity structures and support capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s preparedness against cyber threats.
However, he cautioned that regulation alone is insufficient to achieve true resilience. Instead, he called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving government, private sector players, academia, and international partners. He emphasized that the interconnected nature of digital systems means that risks are shared, and collective action is essential to mitigate them.
“This workshop is not just about technical training,” Gama said. “It is about building partnerships, aligning strategies, and ensuring that we move from awareness to implementation.”
The workshop provides a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of DNS security, particularly the role of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) in protecting against cyber threats such as spoofing and data manipulation. It also encourages the exchange of knowledge and best practices among stakeholders, with the aim of strengthening national cyber resilience.
Gama urged participants to actively engage in discussions and focus on practical outcomes that can be implemented within their respective organisations. He stressed that the real impact of the workshop would be measured by the actions taken after its conclusion.
“The digital future of Eswatini depends on the decisions we make today,” he said. “DNS must be recognised as a strategic asset that requires continuous investment, expertise, and attention.”
The DNS Resilience and DNSSEC Capacity Building Workshop forms part of broader efforts by the Eswatini Communications Commission to enhance cybersecurity capacity and ensure the reliability of the country’s digital ecosystem.
As Eswatini continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives such as this workshop signal a proactive approach to addressing emerging cyber risks and building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital environment for all.