Transnational Cyber Crime Threats Emerge as Feature Phones Flood Market
Namibia’s increasing reliance on digital financial services has led to a surge in cyber crime threats, with feature phones being identified as a key vulnerability. The influx of cheaper feature phones from China has made it easier for people to access the internet and conduct mobile transactions, but these devices often lack advanced security features and are vulnerable to attacks.
Feature Phones: A Key Vulnerability
- Some feature phones were programmed to steal money by sending hidden text messages to paid numbers
- The use of unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) codes for accessing digital financial services has also been identified as a threat, with security testing revealing vulnerabilities and unauthorized access to mobile devices
Lack of National Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Namibia’s lack of national cybersecurity infrastructure and threat intelligence sharing mechanisms has made it difficult to combat cyber crime. The country lacks: + A centralized center for identifying vulnerabilities and threats + Communication to stakeholders + Continuous monitoring of threats and attacks Private sector companies are providing some threat analysis and monitoring services, but these services are limited and not included by default in most organizations.
Low Cybersecurity Awareness in Rural Communities
Cybersecurity awareness is low in rural communities, where internet exposure is limited. The lack of national cybersecurity awareness programs has left inhabitants vulnerable to online risks. The Fiber to the Village project has increased access to cyberspace, but this has also increased cyber risks for rural communities.
National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has launched a National Cybersecurity Strategy and Awareness Creation Plan aimed at: + Protecting critical information infrastructure + Educating the public + Collaborating with public and private entities on cybersecurity The plan targets government employees, schools, and the general public, with a focus on building awareness around mobile technologies and safe use of applications.
Partnerships and Education Key to Success
Raising awareness is just one building block for an improved security posture. A meshed approach that includes partnerships with the private sector for developing secure applications and infrastructure is needed. Targeted solutions are required to build up security nationally, especially in a country with low levels of digital inclusion and literacy.
- Education and training programs must be context- and culture-specific
- The establishment of a national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) or network of private and public entities for information-sharing and initiating actionable response is also recommended
Conclusion
Namibia’s increasing reliance on digital financial services has made it a prime target for cyber criminals. The country must take immediate action to address its cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including the lack of national infrastructure and low cybersecurity awareness in rural communities.
Partnerships between government, private sector companies, and civil society are key to success. Education and training programs must be tailored to Namibia’s unique context and culture-specific needs. Only then can the country effectively combat cyber crime and protect its citizens’ online security.