Cybersecurity awareness initiative hits schools

Mbabane- In an era where digital threats loom large, the Ministry of Information and Technology with Eswatini Communication Commission has partnered with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) to raise awareness on cybercrimes aimed at school pupils.
Today the quintet visited St. Marks High School where they engaged with pupils on discussions in the cyber space. The program is designed to equip young minds with essential knowledge about cyber related crimes.
The Communication Officer at the Ministry of ICT Gugu Nkambule said the Ministry is in a drive to ensure Emaswati are cyber secure.
“This month October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we will be engaged in extensive activities throughout this month,” she stressed.
She added that as the information Ministry they are in a drive to involve all stakeholders including REPS, business sector, and judiciary.
“ With a law enforcement sector we will be conducting workshops that are meant to drive awareness and also encourage the judiciary and the police service to be captivated on how they deal with crimes that are occurring in the cyber space, “ she elaborated.
She further noted that as they are aggressively fighting cybercrimes where Emaswati are being ripped off their hard-earned money through scams and fraud, they envision a cyber secure country.
She noted that other areas they will be focusing on is the business sector, saying that they’ll be capacitating the business sector on how to avoid incidences of cybersecurity.
“ In that way we want Eswatini to be a place where people can come and trade and feel secure transacting with us within and outside our boarders,” she concluded .
On another note, Ayandziswa Gama, a pupil from St.Marks High School lauded the Ministry for the initiative.
“We have learnt so much today and most importantly we have been enriched on how we can better ourselves as to make sure we are safe, “ he said