Story by Oleen Ndori
GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to strengthen information systems as part of broader measures to safeguard national security in an increasingly digitalised environment.
This was outlined by the by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere when he presented a lecture on ‘The Evolution of Information Systems and how this has impacted national security at the Zimbabwe National Defence University this Wednesday.
Speaking after the lecture, Dr Muswere said the topic is vital in the socio-economic and political development of the country.
“The presentation mainly focused on what the government of Zimbabwe has been able to develop in order to guarantee national security in terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe. Given that under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa the government has been in a position to develop the Cyber and Data Protection Act, amend the Broadcasting Services Act, develop the National Artificial Intelligence Framework and the AI strategy, at the same time developing in 2022, the national ICT policy and recently the new and first Integrated Media Policy. All these policies and legislative amendments have been put in place under the leadership of President Mnangagwa to be able to deal with social media imperialism and social media terrorism.”
Dr Muswere further noted that Zimbabwe is prioritising homegrown solutions to information and security challenges, supported through innovation hubs and the Innovation Fund launched in 2018.
“Homegrown solutions have been supported through innovation hubs and also through the Innovation Fund, which the President launched in 2018. All these measures, policies and strategies have been put in place in order to create a safe and secure cyber security framework and environment as we journey towards an upper middle-income society.”
The Zimbabwe National Defence University continues to provide the platforms for various cabinet ministers to come in and deliberate on various issues pertaining to their portfolios and Zimbabwe’s development towards an upper middle-income society by 2030.
