Zimbabwe Government Places Priority on Cybersecurity Training for Public Servants

Zimbabwe’s government has taken a significant step to prioritize the growth of national cybersecurity capabilities by conducting a program where public officials are trained in several key aspects of cybersecurity and security governance.

The effort aims to bolster the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability within the country and improve related public services.

Zimbabwe’s Government Security Commitment

The Zimbabwean government’s commitment to cybersecurity was on full display during a recent graduation ceremony in Harare where over 100 government officials were said to have successfully completed a comprehensive cybersecurity training program, with the aim of equipping these individuals with the necessary tools and expertise to safeguard the country’s digital landscape.

The training program included the following topics:  global cybersecurity trends, international security standards, enterprise private protection governance, and enterprise data security governance practice.

These efforts were prompted by pressing concern after several recent high-profile hacking incidents within Zimbabwe, such as the targeting of social media accounts and a major bank’s systems.

Dr. Tatenda Maveteras, the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, stated:

“Zimbabwe is not immune to cyber threats, as evidenced by recent incidents where social media accounts of prominent individuals and entities were hacked. We also received reports that a leading Zimbabwean bank had its systems compromised, with hackers demanding ransom in exchange for not leaking sensitive operational and customer information.”

Forging Partnerships in Zimbabwe

The government’s efforts have earned praise from its partners, including Huawei Zimbabwe, which has been working with the government for over 25 years. Managing Director Yang Shengwan commended Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening its digital defenses and expressed Huawei’s continued support through cutting-edge technologies, expert training, and collaboration to build a secure digital ecosystem.

“We have witnessed Zimbabwe’s remarkable digital transformation and are proud to have contributed to this journey. Our partnership has only grown stronger as we tackle the pressing cybersecurity challenges of today,” Shengwan remarked.

Earlier, before the commencement of the four-day training session, Shengwan stated, “Huawei takes cybersecurity seriously, and we have made it a top priority in all of our operations and product development. Huawei invests heavily in research and development to ensure our technologies are secure and resilient against evolving cyber threats.”

The Deputy Director General of POTRAZ (Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe), Alfred Marisa, focused on the critical importance of cybersecurity in today’s data-driven world, where data consumption has doubled in recent years, making cybersecurity a vital aspect of digital lives.

As data becomes increasingly valuable, partnerships are essential to protect our digital infrastructure. The global landscape has changed drastically, with data consumption in 2023 doubling from previous years. This new reality makes cybersecurity a vital aspect of our digital lives,” Marisa said.

By equipping its public workforce with cybersecurity skills and fostering strategic partnerships with the private sector, the government’s efforts may position Zimbabwe as a regional leader in the fight against cyber threats.