Niël Terblanché
The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Modestus Amutse, called on United Nations member states to urgently finalize the Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Criminal Purposes.
Amutse spoke at the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum where he said that unity will be a critical step forward in the global fight against the ever-evolving threat of cybercrime.
He highlighted the need for a unified and robust legal framework to prosecute cybercrime perpetrators effectively.
The deputy minister emphasized that the complexity and borderless nature of cyber threats demand a cohesive effort at all levels of governance – national, regional, and international.
“The alarming rates of cybercrime across the globe not only disrupt business operations but also inflict significant reputational damage,” Amutse stated.
He underscored the importance of international collaboration and the urgent need for harmonized laws to bolster the global community’s defence against these digital threats.
Investment in the workforce is crucial for building the capacity to anticipate and counteract the burgeoning trends in cybercrime.
Amutse pointed out the indispensable role of cybersecurity incident response teams as central nodes in the fabric of national and international cybersecurity measures.
According to the deputy minister, these teams are essential for the rapid sharing of alerts, and best practices, and for orchestrating coordinated responses to cyber incidents.
Amutse called for significant investment in research and development within the ICT sector to unlock new potentials in combating cybersecurity challenges.
He urged forum attendees to consider the broader implications of cyber vulnerabilities and to rethink investment in cybersecurity infrastructure to protect national critical information infrastructures.
He advocated for comprehensive awareness programs aimed at enhancing internet users’ understanding of cyber risks and protective measures.
“Our presence here today underlines the critical importance of international cooperation in securing our cyberspace,” he said
Amutse’s call for global unity at the forum serves as a reminder of the urgency and necessity for a collective effort to do battle in the cyber arena.
The proposed United Nations Convention, coupled with increased global cooperation and investment in cyber readiness, paves the way for a safer and more secure digital future.
