Cybercrime, data protection bills ‘on the way’
Nipam, CRAN host seminar
Bank of Namibia deputy governor Leonie Dunn last year highlighted the importance of a cyber-risk strategy for the financial industry.
The information ministry’s director of ICT development Linda Aipinge says although the proposed cybercrime and data protection bills have been delayed, they are in the works.
Speaking during a seminar on cybersecurity awareness by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), she said the drafter in charge of the Cybercrime Bill died before it could be passed.
"The drafter was visually impaired and used different systems for the document. We were informed by Cabinet that certain things are missing from the document, and at the time, the person was already deceased. We couldn't trace what he worked on.
“The ministry went back to the drawing board and the justice ministry has since assigned two drafters who are currently working on the bill," she said.
Strategy needed
During the launch of the Cybersecurity Industry Council last November, Bank of Namibia deputy governor Leonie Dunn said while the Cybercrime Bill will play a fundamental role in the country's general cyber resilience, it highlighted the importance of a cyber-risk strategy for the financial industry.
"To date, there is no official national cybersecurity strategy in Namibia. We are, however, aware that the information ministry - with the assistance of the Commonwealth secretariat - devised some components of the cybersecurity strategy," she said.
On the Data Protection Bill, Aipinge said the ministry has been engaging in stakeholder consultations in five regions.
"We have also asked for input from the public through our social media platforms and have gotten many comments and ideas. The consultations we want to finalise in July this year," she added.
The ministry further revealed that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with cybersecurity company Salt Essential, and has so far undertaken 30 awareness sessions.
According to Nipam acting executive Sankwasa Mubita, an increase in cybercrime and data breaches in the last year has impacted several businesses, and therefore seminars of this nature should take place more often.
Speaking during a seminar on cybersecurity awareness by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), she said the drafter in charge of the Cybercrime Bill died before it could be passed.
"The drafter was visually impaired and used different systems for the document. We were informed by Cabinet that certain things are missing from the document, and at the time, the person was already deceased. We couldn't trace what he worked on.
“The ministry went back to the drawing board and the justice ministry has since assigned two drafters who are currently working on the bill," she said.
Strategy needed
During the launch of the Cybersecurity Industry Council last November, Bank of Namibia deputy governor Leonie Dunn said while the Cybercrime Bill will play a fundamental role in the country's general cyber resilience, it highlighted the importance of a cyber-risk strategy for the financial industry.
"To date, there is no official national cybersecurity strategy in Namibia. We are, however, aware that the information ministry - with the assistance of the Commonwealth secretariat - devised some components of the cybersecurity strategy," she said.
On the Data Protection Bill, Aipinge said the ministry has been engaging in stakeholder consultations in five regions.
"We have also asked for input from the public through our social media platforms and have gotten many comments and ideas. The consultations we want to finalise in July this year," she added.
The ministry further revealed that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with cybersecurity company Salt Essential, and has so far undertaken 30 awareness sessions.
According to Nipam acting executive Sankwasa Mubita, an increase in cybercrime and data breaches in the last year has impacted several businesses, and therefore seminars of this nature should take place more often.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article