As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the establishment of NAM-CSIRT ensures that Namibia is better equipped to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber incidents promptly.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) launched, on April 15, the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) to strengthen the nation's digital security. Funded by a N$20 million seed investment from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), this initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding critical digital infrastructure.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, emphasized that the allocated funds will equip NAM-CSIRT with essential tools, technology, and personnel to effectively and efficiently address cyber threats. This strategic investment is designed to enhance the team's capacity to respond to and mitigate cyber incidents, thereby reinforcing Namibia's cybersecurity posture.​

NAM-CSIRT is established to serve as the nation's central authority for managing cyber threats and incidents. Its primary objective is to enhance the security and stability of Namibia's critical infrastructure and information systems across government institutions, agencies, and other key sectors.

As of December 31, 2024, Namibia recorded over 1.2 million cyber events and more than 2.7 million cyber vulnerabilities, with seven major incidents managed during that period, according to NAM-CSIRT. Notably, in December 2024, Telecom Namibia suffered a significant cyberattack, resulting in the exfiltration of approximately 626.3GB of data by the attackers who later leaked some portions of sensitive data on social media.

NAM-CSIRT is expected to serve as Namibia's frontline defense against cyber threats, ensuring swift and effective responses to cyber incidents. The team will operate under a governance framework that upholds the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

Hikmatu Bilali