Zimbabwe intensifies cybersecurity awareness measures

Zimbabwe's Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services is increasing awareness initiatives and training programs with a wider array of key stakeholders to counter cybersecurity threats as the country's digital economy registers growth.

The department's Minister Dr. Tatenda Mavetera said that the Zimbabwean government remains resolute in its mission to transform Zimbabwe into a digitally driven economy, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

She told delegates at a recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity Symposium, held at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, that digital transformation is a critical driver for economic growth and development.

"We are witnessing the transformative impact of digital services and technologies in education, agriculture, health, and governance sectors. However, with these advancements comes the responsibility to ensure our digital infrastructure remains secure, resilient, and capable of withstanding the increasing threat of cyber-attacks," she said.

According to Mavetera, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever, protecting the country's most essential services – from financial transactions to healthcare systems – ensuring confidentiality, integrity and availability of information.

Related:Africa faces increased cyberthreats, security skills gap – Cisco

As technology shapes citizens' daily lives, the stakes are getting higher, and the risks more profound.

The Minister urged stakeholders, including local citizens, the private sector, businesses, and government officials, to proactively defend the nation's digital assets and sensitive information from cybercrime, which is threatening both the economy and national security.

"This sense of security will also boost innovation and attract greater investment in Zimbabwe's growing tech sector," Mavetera said.

AI's impact on cybersecurity in Zimbabwe

Earlier this month, Mavetera also officially opened the National Cyber Security Symposium as part of the government's broader 2024 Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign under the theme, "Building Cyber Resilience through AI: Collaborative Security for a Secure Digital Future."

The University of Zimbabwe has become a local hub for innovation driving the country's academic and technological advancements. The university has initiated ongoing partnerships and contributes to the ICT Ministry's initiatives, including the symposiums.

Mavetera said AI has the potential to revolutionize cybersecurity approaches by enhancing threat detection, automating response measures and securing systems efficiently.

Related:Five cybersecurity startups to watch

"It is essential that we explore integrating AI into our national cybersecurity strategies. As our digital ecosystem evolves, so must our tools for securing it. By leveraging AI's capabilities, we can stay ahead of cyber threats and build a more resilient and secure digital future for Zimbabwe," The Minister added.

The Ministry is collaborating with academic institutions, the private sector and international partners to enhance Zimbabwe's cybersecurity posture.

The Minister also launched the University of Zimbabwe Student's Cybersecurity Association, which her Ministry will fully support.

Mavetera emphasized that securing Zimbabwe's cyberspace requires collective effort, calling on stakeholders to contribute expertise, resources, and time toward building a safe and resilient digital environment.

Zimbabwe enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act in 2021 and is working on the National Artificial Intelligence Policy to create an enabling environment for AI.

"These laws and policies are not the government's responsibility alone. I urge stakeholders, particularly those in academia, to lend thoughts and opinions on safely regulating AI deployment in Zimbabwe," Mavetera went on.

The rising cost of cybercrime

Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister for ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dingumuzi Phuti, said that according to the 2023 Cybersecurity Ventures report, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach an astounding US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

He said that the figure is not merely a number but represents the financial, emotional and reputational toll on individuals, businesses and governments.

He added that in 2022, globally there was a 105% increase in ransomware attacks compared to the previous year, affecting countless organizations and disrupting critical services.

Phuti said that over 80% of reported security incidents were attributed to phishing attacks, highlighting the vulnerabilities that exist even in well-guarded systems.

"The average cost of a data breach soared to US$4.35 million, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies," Phuti explained.

Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dingumuzi Phuti. (Source: Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services)

He said that cybersecurity is not only a global phenomenon, and in recent months Zimbabwe had seen local entities including banks being hacked, with cybersecurity becoming both a personal and a national threat.

Cybersecurity policies move forward

Zimbabwe has embarked on the process of formulating its National Cyber Security Strategy which is expected to provide strategies on how the country can holistically safeguard its information assets from increasing cyber threats.

The country's Cyber and Data Protection Act aims to criminalize a wide range of cybercrimes such as phishing, identity theft, hacking, cloning and malware victimization.

The country has also created mandatory requirements and guidelines for data protection officers and data handling.

The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, in partnership with Huawei, initiated a cybersecurity training program in August 2024 that benefited most ICT directors in Ministry Department Agencies (MDAs), as well as Central Bank officials.

It said that plans are afoot to extend the training to other senior civil servants, ministers and their deputies.

"We are fully committed to taking more steps to promote high standards of cybersecurity in Zimbabwe. As we embark on this critical journey toward greater cyber resilience, let us remember that we are stronger together. By collaborating, sharing knowledge and supporting one another, we can create a safer digital environment for all," Phuti said.

Kezito Makuni, chief operations officer at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, also spoke at the National Cyber Security Symposium pointing out that in an increasingly interconnected world, the risks posed by cyber threats are ever present.

He said that from data breaches that expose sensitive personal information to ransomware attacks that disrupt essential services, threats can have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses and entire nations.  

Makuni said that consumers are becoming more knowledgeable, and attitudes are changing for consumers, corporates and governments.

He said that Econet has scheduled public awareness efforts on issues such as social engineering, one-time pin (OTP) fraud, card cloning, fake SMSs, device and SMS security, and SIM swap fraud.