Government invests N$20 million in Cybersecurity Incident Response Team - Informanté

Staff Reporter THE Namibian Government has allocated N$20 million in seed funding for the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) to facilitate the initiative’s operational launch. This follows the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) hosting the inaugural NAM-CSIRT Stakeholder Engagement in Windhoek last week. According to CRAN, this investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s resilience against cyber threats. PRIORITISING CYBER SECURITY: Scenes from CRAN’s inaugural NAM-CSIRT Stakeholder Engagement. From Left- Mr. Paulus Tshiningayamwe (BoN), Ms. Cornelia Shipindo (CRAN), Prof. Mercy Chitauro (NUST), Mrs. Emilia Nghikembua (CRAN), Mr. Elton Witbooi (CRAN), Ms. Thank-You Hauwanga (CRAN) and Mr. Ednard Toivo (CRAN). Photo: CRAN. CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Emilia Nghikembua, explained that the establishment of NAM-CSIRT is a pivotal initiative led by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. She highlighted that this initiative marks a significant step in enhancing Namibia’s cybersecurity capabilities. “In an era where cyber threats are rapidly evolving, it is imperative that we engage in a coordinated effort to protect our critical infrastructure and, by extension, safeguard the livelihoods of our citizens,” Nghikembua added. The CEO of CRAN further emphasised that fostering trust and cooperation will not only enhance Namibia’s cybersecurity framework but also promote a safer global digital landscape. She urged stakeholders to establish sector-specific Cyber Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) within their industries. “Adopting this best practice will streamline the exchange of critical information among related entities and significantly elevate Namibia’s cybersecurity maturity. By organising into sectoral CIRTs, we can develop targeted strategies to address sector-specific challenges, ultimately strengthening our collective ability to manage and mitigate cyber incidents,” Nghikembua added.