Story by Oliver Karuru
THE country is stepping up efforts to promote cyber security and enhance data protection to make the national digital space more secure in the face of evolving cyber threats.
A cyber security engagement held in Mutare this Thursday saw legislators being implored to ensure the country’s legal and policy frameworks remain adaptive and effective in addressing emerging cyber security threats.
“Under the visionary leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is embracing a future where the digital economy becomes a cornerstone of national development. The President has consistently emphasised that the digital revolution is not just an opportunity but a necessity for Zimbabwe’s economic transformation,” the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Dr Tatenda Mavetera said
“A secure digital ecosystem is the foundation upon which trust, investment, and technological progress are built. As we accelerate towards a digitised economy, we must ensure that our cyber defenses are robust enough to protect critical infrastructure, personal data, and financial systems from malicious actors. In line with our President’s whole-of-nation approach, government, private sector, and citizens must collaborate to safeguard our digital future. Zimbabwe’s rapid digital transformation under the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Vision requires legislative frameworks that balance innovation, economic growth, and security,”
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Honourable Vusumuzi Moyo highlighted the importance of sound legal frameworks, continuous learning, collaboration and legislative responsiveness in dealing with evolving cyber threats.
“We are duty bound to educate our citizens about the importance of cyber security and data protection. The proliferation of digital technologies has brought about a world where information is power. As such, the protection of that information is paramount. We must be vigilant in our efforts to ensure our digital space remains secure and trustworthy. It is our responsibility as legislators to craft frameworks that defend against cyber threats, uphold privacy and make the benefits of ICT accessible to every Zimbabwean,” Honourable Moyo said.
Legislators, who received training on cyber security and data protection issues, are convinced that they are now better placed to ensure that Zimbabwe’s digital economy is protected from cyber threats.
Meanwhile, the push for a comprehensive National Cyber Security Law, the Postal Telecommunications Amendment and the E-Commerce and E-Transactions Bills are expected to make the digital space more secure.
