…. As ESCCOM launches Cyber Security Awareness
… To host first ever National Cyber Security Indaba
BY KWANELE TSABEDZE
MBABANE – “Always install antivirus software, including on your phone.”
This was advice given by Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mvilawemphi Dlamini today, when speaking at the launch of the 2022 Eswatini Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The theme for this year is ‘A secure cyberspace for all – #BeCyberSmart’.
“The theme for the year has been appropriately chosen to represent the times that we are in,” said the CEO.
During the launch, Banele Jonathan Maseko, founder and director of Jonathan Cyber, which is incubated at the Royal Science and Technology Innovation Park, demonstrated how easy it was to hack into someone else’s Facebook account. Maseko showed the attendants how a phishing message telling a user they have won a certain price can be used to gain access to that user’s login details for Facebook, Paypal, Gmail, and other such services.
Phishing is the act of obtaining someone’s private log in details through false pretenses.
In a few minutes, Maseko had gained access to one of the attendants’ Facebook accounts. He warned the public to always have two-factor-authentication to protect online accounts by receiving an SMS to log in, in order to avoid such hacks from being effective. His message was in line with the CEO’s observations about the ubiquity of cyberspace and the need for everyone to be concerned about cyber security.
“I believe that we are now certain that the utilisation of the internet is an integral part of our everyday lives. We live, work and play in cyberspace. Computers, network devices and information networks touch every aspect of our economy, society and daily life. Nearly all our infrastructure today is heavily dependent on digital technology,” said the CEO.
He also noted that digital infrastructure has become the bedrock of our socioeconomic development, adding that cyber security across all has become an imperative in such a reality.
“This demonstrates the naked fact that our increasing reliance on cyber technologies makes us more vulnerable to those who would attack our digital infrastructure, to undermine our national security, economic prosperity and quality of life. This is why cyber security matters for everyone, every day,” said the CEO.
The CEO also emphasised that cyber security was also a way to protect the country’s crown jewel, which he said was the youth as the future leaders. He further revealed that it is within ESCCOM’s mandate to protect internet users in Eswatini by building capabilities of preventing cyber attacks, as well as capacitating the public on how to protect themselves online.
“In ensuring a safe cyberspace for all, the 2022 campaign will include the launch of the National Cybersecurity Strategy, and supporting legislative frameworks, and also launch the revamped Cybersecurity Incident Response Team website,” said the CEO.
He also revealed that they will host the first ever Cyber Security Indaba which is aimed at bringing together players in the economy who rely on technology to discuss cyber threats and trends that affect emaSwati. He expressed that the outcomes for this included targeted messaging on cyber security to emaSwati.
The Universal Access and Service Funds has partnered with ESCCOM to raise awareness on financial cyber threats. He also revealed that the campaign will also target schools as the young are vulnerable to higher risks to their lives and mental health when using the internet.
The CEO also gave practical tips for staying safe from cyber threats, like recognising and reporting phishing, updating software everytime there is an update, as well as using strong passwords.
Other stakeholders who participated in the launch of the 2022 Eswatini Cybersecurity Awareness Month included Eswatini Revenue Services (ERS), the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Bankers’ Association, as well as private sector players like Real Image Eswatini.
The Eswatini Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign begins on November 1, and will last until November 30 2022.
The video of the entire launch event can be found on ESCCOM’s Facebook page. https://fb.watch/gwQXbApomi/
