“Together for a better Internet”
Odirile Tamajobe | Monday March 4, 2024 06:00
Rising digital adoption has inevitably resulted in an increase in cyber threats, with impending attacks becoming an increasing concern. With the heightened cyber threats, it is of paramount importance to invest in cyber security, equip children and young adults with information on potential online risks and are empower them to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
Safer Internet Day is celebrated annually on the 6th of February to raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people. Everyone is encouraged to help ensure that the internet is a place of opportunities for children and young people where they can create, engage, and share positively and freely.
Below are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the Internet and safety:
- Safer Internet Day is celebrated, each year with a different theme. This year the focus is “Together for a Better Internet,” – reminding internet users to come together to ensure online safety. What is the significance of this day for Botswana?
Safer Internet Day holds great importance for everyone in Botswana, both at organisational and personal levels. When it comes to businesses and other organisations, online safety and cyber security should be central to all their discussions about operations. For individual citizens, online safety should be integrated into our daily lives. According to the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority, our country has nearly two million internet users, we all use the internet daily including our children, and while it has brought us countless benefits, it has exposed us to potential threats from increasingly creative and resourceful cybercriminals.
Cybercrimes, which can range from identity theft to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, data breaches, malware installation and cyberbullying, do not discriminate between large corporations and individuals. Malicious entities can disrupt small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and cause chaos in the lives of anyone with an online presence. As per Safer Internet Day theme, we all need to come together to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns. Keeping ourselves safe online is a collective responsibility, and Safer Internet Day serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder of the potential risks we might encounter and what we can all do to protect ourselves.
- What measures have you taken to raise awareness on cyber security to ensure that our children and young adults are safe online?
The Safer Internet Day theme 'Together for a Better Internet' unites stakeholders to enhance online safety. Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana has proudly partnered with the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, The Ministry of Education, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority, the European Union mission in Botswana, the African Cybersmart Network and Cybersmart Botswana among other key stakeholders to enhance cyber security awareness through public education campaigns.
The Cybersmart Student Champions Programme aims to train over 50,000 students in cyber security, aligning with the government's digitalisation efforts. With the increasing digitisation of Botswana's education system, it is crucial to equip school communities with the skills to manage cyber risks.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies and its partners launched this initiative to improve online safety through peer-led learning. The programme will be implemented in senior secondary schools, involving student leaders as Cybersmart Student Champions and teachers as coordinators. This collaborative effort aims to create a more secure digital environment in Botswana schools and mitigate cyber threats.
- What is Liquid Intelligent Technologies doing to advocate for online safety, particularly for its clients and what advice can you give to businesses and the public regarding online safety?
As Liquid Intelligent Technologies, we have invested in solutions that enable organisations to be secure in the cyber world such as LIT DDoS , Security Operating Centres for Managed Security Services and Partnerships with various security vendors like Sophos , Microsoft and SafeTitan .To effectively mitigate cyber risks, businesses need to implement key strategies and solutions as follows:
i. Engage third-party cyber security experts: Businesses can benefit from partnering with external cyber security firms or consultants who specialise in assessing and mitigating cyber risks. These experts can provide valuable insights, conduct penetration testing, and recommend appropriate security measures tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.
ii. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification beyond passwords. Implementing MFA across various systems, especially for sensitive information access, can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
iii. Foster a culture of cyber security: It is important to create a culture of cyber security within the organisation. This involves encouraging employees to be vigilant, fostering open communication about potential threats or incidents, and regularly reviewing and updating security policies and procedures.
- How easy is it to stay safe online amid the evolving cyber threat landscape?
In today's interconnected digital world, businesses face complex cyber risks with severe consequences. Cyber threats, including phishing attacks, malware infections, data breaches, and social engineering scams, are increasingly sophisticated. Botswana, like any other country, is not immune to these threats. Staying safe online requires awareness, education, and training. Constant vigilance and adaptation to new challenges are essential to protect digital assets and strike a balance between convenience and security.
- What is the role of internal staff in an organisation in the cyber security matrix?
When you talk about employees, you must include owners, CEOs, and executive-level workers. Cyber security buy-in must start at the very highest level, since it is here that decisions on investments into the business are made. In the public and private sectors, employers and officials need to rethink their perceptions about cyber security. They need to recognise the dangers cybercrime can pose to their organisations and their dependents in both the public and private sectors and move to limit them.
Encouraging a cyber security culture within the organisation is crucial, as employees are the first line of defence against attacks and serve as the human firewall. This includes promoting employee vigilance, fostering open communication regarding threats or incidents, and regularly reviewing and updating security policies and procedures. At Liquid, we are geared towards education in cybercrime awareness through simulated attacks, webinars, and tests for our employees.
- What are some of the key cyber threats affecting Botswana businesses, and which sectors/ industries are most vulnerable?
There are several key cyber threats affecting businesses in Botswana and these include: money laundering, online scams, hacking, malwares, viruses and worms, identity theft and frauds. According to the Botswana National Cyber Security Strategy, Information Communication Technology (ICT) enabled Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) such as electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications, commerce and health are most susceptible to various cyber risks and threats. These sectors often store large amounts of sensitive data, which makes them attractive targets for cyber criminals. However, any business operating in the online space is a potential target. Criminals are as interested in acquiring data as they are in stealing money therefore crucial security measures need to be in place.
*Tamajobe is Managing Director, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Botswana