Hertta-Maria Amutenja
In a strategic move to bolster Namibia’s cybersecurity, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is rigorously revisiting the Cybercrime Bill.
This redrafting adheres to the mandates of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
Minister Peya Mushelenga, revealed yesterday that this progression aligns seamlessly with the Government’s wider strategies outlined in the Government Communication Strategy 2022 – 2027, which envisions nurturing an informed public discourse on crucial governmental endeavours and initiatives.
The ongoing refinement of the Cybercrime Bill is an integral component of a comprehensive strategy to overhaul the legislative and policy frameworks governing the information and communication technology sector. Parallelly, meticulous efforts are being channelled to polish the Data Protection Bill and rectify the Communications Act of 2009.
“Given the extensive nature of the proposed amendments, a repeal and replacement of the Act are being contemplated. The concluding Bill currently resides with the Ministry of Justice,” he detailed.
To provide a cohesive and resilient cybersecurity and data protection ecosystem, these legislative initiatives are harmonized with corresponding policy and legislative structures. Mushelenga emphasized that redrafting is a collaborative process, engaging the public to assimilate a spectrum of perspectives and insights.
Further, he affirmed the swift actualization of the National Broadband Policy is on the horizon, aiming to fortify and ubiquitize Namibia’s digital infrastructure.
“In collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), our Ministry is orchestrating the National Digital Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan, laying the foundation for Namibia’s digital metamorphosis,” Mushelenga disclosed.
The constitution of the National Cyber Security Incident Response Team and the delineation of a National Digital Strategy epitomize Namibia’s dedication to technological progress and fortified cybersecurity. Such initiatives emphasize the imperative of cultivating resilience and proactive stances against the proliferating cyber threats intrinsic to the digital epoch.
Earlier in May, Linda Aipinge, the Director of ICT Development, shed light on the challenges encountered during a seminar focused on cybersecurity awareness. This seminar, a collaborative venture by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), signalled the Ministry’s resolve to enhance cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.
Unfazed by the initial challenges, the Ministry has reconvened and solicited the expertise of the justice ministry, allocating two drafters to refine the Cybercrime Bill meticulously. The comprehensive revisions and collaborative initiatives signify Namibia’s unwavering commitment to reinforcing its cybersecurity infrastructure, ensuring national resilience against escalating cyber threats.
