By Sizwe Dlamini
The Chief Executive (CE) of the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), Mvilawemphi Dlamini says that a cyber-attack occurs every 39 seconds in the country, with the most prevalent cybercrime being mobile wallet scams.
He said these scams have led to MTN Eswatini and Eswatini Mobile incurring significant financial losses.
Dlamini made these remarks during the launch of the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024, themed “Asiphepheni, Secure Our World,” held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini, earlier today.
The event was attended by the Minister of Education & Training, Owen Nxumalo, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Principal Secretary Phesheya Dube, who represented the Minister of ICT, Savannah Maziya. Also present during the launch were senior government officials, ESCCOM management and staff as well as invited stakeholders and dignitaries.
The CE noted that the 2024 ‘Asiphepheni Secure Our World’ campaign aims to educate individuals, the youth, and organizations on protecting sensitive data from cyber threats, including phishing attacks, malware, and identity theft, promoting best practices such as using strong passwords, keeping software updated, and maintaining vigilance on online activities.
“Today, as we launch the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024, we acknowledge that cybercrime is on the rise globally due to our increasing dependency on technology and the vast reach of the Internet. The anonymity of the web complicates law enforcement efforts, allowing cybercriminals to operate with relative impunity. The growing complexity of cyberattacks and the potential for significant financial gain motivate these malicious actors to refine their tactics. Thus, enhanced cybersecurity awareness and defenses are critical,” Dlamini stated.
Dlamini noted that the 2024 campaign will include capacity-building workshops for the public and private sector, civil service, the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies.
“Additionally, the Commission has partnered with UNESCO to raise awareness about cyberbullying among the youth. The campaign will encourage initiatives and employ positive messaging to promote better protection against cyber threats,” he said.
Dlamini reiterated the importance of the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act, passed into law in 2022, which mandates ESCCOM to regulate and coordinate cybersecurity matters while enforcing standards for the security of critical information infrastructures. He called for the cooperation of cabinet and parliament to ensure that the regulations operationalizing this Act are passed, noting that the Minister of ICT will present them soon.