HARARE – Zimbabwe has witnessed a significant surge in cyber attacks in recent months, with local entities, including banks, falling victim to hacking, the country’s Minister of Information Communication Technology, Tatenda Mavetera has revealed.
Addressing the issue at the Cybersecurity Conference in Harare on Thursday morning, Mavetera highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding cybercrime.
According to the 2023 Cybersecurity Ventures report, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
In 2022, ransomware attacks increased by 105%, with over 80% of reported security incidents attributed to phishing attacks. The average cost of a data breach soared to US$4.35 million.
Mavetera said the threat is also a local phenomenon, citing recent bank hacks in the country.
“Cybersecurity is not a global phenomenon but it is also a local phenomenon,” she said.
“We have in recent months seen local entities including banks being hacked.
“Many here have had a relative call them about receiving smses asking them to click a link, we have all seen friends, associates or family members posting endless chain messages on social media groups until the number was removed from the group. In short cybersecurity is both a personal and a national threat.”
Mavetera stated that cybercrime is not just a technical issue but a societal challenge requiring a collective response. She urged public-private partnerships, investment in education and training, and strong regulatory frameworks to combat cybercrime.
The former actress cited the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge to create a robust defense against cyber threats.
As Zimbabwe marks National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Minister called for collective action, stating, “Cyber Security begins with me, Cyber Security begins with you, Cyber Security begins with all of us.”
