Justicia Shipena
Namibia experienced more than one million cyber threats in the first half of 2025.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus sounded the alarm over the country’s growing exposure to cyber risks, saying the attacks highlight the urgent need to strengthen digital security systems.
Presenting a ministerial statement in Parliament on Wednesday, Theofelus said that between January and June 2025, the Namibia Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT), housed at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran), detected 1 103 784 cyber threats and 1 090 342 vulnerabilities across the country’s digital systems.
“These statistics should send an alarm to all of us,” she said, adding that the scale of threats underscores the need to finalise laws on personal data protection and cybersecurity.
Theofelus said cybercrimes have become a serious concern worldwide, and Namibia is no exception.
“Just like the crimes committed in the physical world, cybercrimes equally have devastating effects on the social and mental well-being of the people,” she said.
The most recent cyberattack was reported last week at the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), where personal details of more than 7 000 students surfaced publicly after a data breach.
An independent cybersecurity expert also warned of “significant security flaws” on over 20 Namibian government-run websites, saying many use outdated technology and lack proper maintenance.
The NSFAF breach followed another hacking incident in December 2024, when Telecom Namibia was targeted by a ransomware group known as Hunters International.
The hackers leaked sensitive customer data after Telecom refused to pay the ransom.
Theofelus warned that many cybercrimes stem from human error and manipulation.
“Cybercriminals are good at exploiting human nature. Our ignorance in clicking unfamiliar links or entertaining unknown callers puts us at risk,” she said.
She urged citizens to be cautious about their online activities and what they share on social media, noting that criminals often use such information for fraud.
The minister also raised concern over a rise in SIM card-related crimes, including impersonation and fraud targeting pensioners and politicians.
“Many victims have suffered significant financial losses after being misled by fraudsters posing as representatives from financial institutions,” she said.
Mobile operators have begun implementing fraud management systems to identify cloned or suspicious SIM cards, she added.
“Public awareness is critical. As a government, we encourage Namibians to embrace digital transformation but remain alert while online,” she said.
