Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Supa Mandiwanzira has urged Zimbabweans to take heed of cyber crime and security threats to avoid adverse consequences such as loss of lives, stealing of intellectual property rights and tarnished images.
Speaking at a Cyber Security Seminar yesterday in Harare, the ICT Minister said the global community is at serious loggerheads with cyber criminals and governments have to quickly intercept these security threats to protect citizens.
“Even some countries we thought were at advanced systems technologically to deal with some of the problems . You heard the British Prime Minister Theresa May expressing some serious concerns on how to deal with Social Media because that’s what Terrorists are using to communicate and launch attacks on the citizens,
“The issue of Cyber crime and security is a very key security issue even across the globe, as you heard the Permanent Secretary speaking Eng Sam Kundishora, the reality is that its not just Zimbabwe that’s cracking its head on how to deal with cyber attacks or computer and cyber crime, the global societies are battling as well,” said Mandiwanzira.
The Minister castigated those circulating fake news on social media platforms saying this expose communities to unauthenticated news leading to misinformed decisions.
The seminar brought together various ICT experts who discussed various issues for consideration in Zimbabwe’s soon to be launched national ICT Policy and Cyber Bill.
Zimbabwe is currently working with international bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to get enough information cyber security guidelines.
Minister Mandiwanzira further noted that the government will engage other regional bodies for collaboration on crafting of national and regional policies to counter cyber crime.
