Ester Mbathera
IT specialists are now calling for immediate action to strengthen cybersecurity measures across organisations following the recent cyber attack on Paratus Namibia.
They took to social media to share their advice with businesses and individuals.
Eugene Haingura, an IT expert, said cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a critical part of every organisation’s safety.
“Hackers are always evolving, and they don’t rest. Whether their goal is to disrupt, steal, or ransom data, their intentions are unpredictable and dangerous,” he said.
Haingura emphasised the importance of employee awareness, urging companies to provide regular training on recognising phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and identifying suspicious online activity.
“Protecting personal data is just as important. Hackers don’t only target companies. They also exploit individuals to access broader networks. We can’t afford to take cybersecurity for granted. One attack can cause financial damage, compromise reputations, and even shut down a business. Let’s stay proactive and informed in the fight against cybercrime.
Fraud prevention specialist Melanie Meiring shared the same sentiment.
According to her, most cyber threats exploit human error rather than advanced hacking techniques.
“Most cyber threats don’t rely on sophisticated hacking—they simply need one person to open the wrong link. But with the right training, we can outsmart the fraudsters. Every company has the power to create a culture of awareness, responsibility, and resilience. When employees know what to watch out for, they become the strongest defence against cybercrime,” she said.
Meiring called for a shift from fear to empowerment, encouraging businesses to build a culture of awareness and resilience.
Anco Baard, an IT professional, highlighted the importance of how organisations respond to cyberattacks.
“Customers don’t just remember a breach; they remember how a company responds. If Paratus takes the lead with decisive action, clear updates, and visible improvements, it has the chance to set a new benchmark for cybersecurity excellence in Namibia’s telecom industry,” he said.
Paratus Namibia’s managing director, Andrew Hall, confirmed that the company detected unusual activity on 13 February and immediately isolated affected systems.
“These measures included isolating the affected environment, removing VPN access, and securing all impacted systems—particularly our voice (083) services and certain cloud-hosted environments—to contain the threat and minimise further service and operational disruption,” he said.
In a statement released on Thursday, Hall said the organisation enlisted international cybersecurity experts to assist with recovery efforts and invested in advanced security solutions to prevent future incidents.
“Together, we are employing proven international methodologies to meticulously restore our infrastructure and data. This effort involves a rigorous, step-by-step review of each affected system and platform, ensuring both integrity and security at every stage,” he said.
Hall said through ongoing investigation they are seeking to determine the full extent of any data compromise.
“Throughout this process, we are working closely with affected customers, keeping them informed,” he said.
Hall said the company made additional investments in additional advanced cybersecurity solutions since the incident.
