The Namibian government has allocated N$20 million in seed funding to support the operational launch of the Namibia Cyber-Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT). This investment underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing national resilience against cyber threats.
Last week, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) hosted the inaugural NAM-CSIRT stakeholder engagement in Windhoek. The event held on 27 March, marked a significant step in strengthening Namibia’s cybersecurity framework and fostering collaboration among key industry players.
CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, stressed that the establishment of NAM-CSIRT is an initiative led by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. She highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity, stating that in an era of evolving cyber threats, coordinated efforts are essential to protecting critical infrastructure and safeguarding citizens’ livelihoods.
“Effective cybersecurity depends on collaboration and trust among stakeholders,” Nghikembua said. “Strong partnerships encourage information sharing, prompt incident reporting, and collective risk mitigation. This synergy will reinforce Namibia’s cybersecurity resilience and contribute to a safer global digital environment.”
The stakeholder engagement provided a platform for knowledge exchange, where industry leaders discussed best practices, shared insights, and explored lessons learned in cybersecurity. Nghikembua urged stakeholders to establish sector-specific Cyber Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) within their industries; this would help coordination and the exchange of critical information.
“By adopting this best practice, we can significantly advance Namibia’s cybersecurity maturity. Sectoral CIRTs will enable us to develop targeted strategies to address industry-specific challenges, ultimately strengthening our collective ability to manage and mitigate cyber incidents,” she noted.
The establishment of NAM-CSIRT and the recent engagement event signify progress in Namibia’s digital security initiatives to defend the nation’s cyber infrastructure.
