Friday, March 29, 2024

Cyber security laboratory launched to enable law-enforcement agencies combat cyber crimes.

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Farmer' s Association Internet cafe in Kabwe
Farmer’ s Association Internet cafe in Kabwe

VISITING International Telecommunications Union (ITU) deputy secretary-general Houlin Zhao has launched the first-ever cyber security laboratory in Zambia, which will enable law-enforcement agencies to combat Information Communication Technology (ICT)-related crimes.

The laboratory is based at the Zambia Police Service headquarters in Lusaka, whose refurbishment and procurement of equipment was done by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) at a cost of K700,000.

Mr Zhao said that cyber crime was a fast-growing phenomenon as more and more criminals were exploiting connectivity, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit various crimes that had no borders.

“Due to the increased expertise and number of attackers, this laboratory will surely have a key role to play in supporting the Government in addressing cyber security-related issues at the national and regional levels as well as the global level,” he said.

Mr Zhao was confident that the laboratory, coupled with the ongoing good international coordination and collaboration, would help build confidence among security wings in the use of ICTs for all.

He said Zambia was a very active ITU member and the launch of the Laboratory was a continuation of the partnership and that the ITU-IMPACT in partnership with ZICTA was organising the first Cyber Drill in Africa.

The Cyber Drill to be held in Lusaka from September 29 to October 1, 2014 is a high-level training workshop on computer incidents handling for African Computer Incidence Response Teams (CIRTs) professionals.

He also paid tribute to First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba whom he said was a valuable ITU e-Health Ambassador.

Transport, Communications, Works and Supply Deputy Minister Mwimba Malama said the Government intended to replicate the laboratory initiative to other parts of the country to operate as regional laboratories within the Zambia Police.

Mr Malama said the Government was happy at the collaboration between ZICTA and the Zambia Police and that Zambia was among the first African countries to set up a CIRT, whose role was to manage cyber security incidents and raise awareness about potential incidents.

Inspector General Police Stella Libongani said the laboratory was the US’s brainchild in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which was created to lead national efforts to investigate high-tech crimes, acts bordering on terrorism, espionage, computer intrusion and cyber fraud.

ZICTA Board chairperson Emmanuel Musonda said the Laboratory was a demonstration of the Authority’s commitment to meeting its regulatory obligation and thanked the Zambia Police for supporting ZICTA in enhancing cyber security in the country.

8 COMMENTS

  1. This is indeed some welcome news. I would like to be part of this development. I would not even mind being a Police reserve so I may contribute my vision, passion and experience in ITC to enable Officer gain inner confidence and higher achievements for the betterment of Zambian security on the international platform.

    Hook me up Stella.

  2. Its a good idea, but unfortunately in Zambia and most parts of Africa it will be abused to spy on and intimidate political opponents.

    I don’t know of any successful cyber crime bust that ZICTA has successfully carried out apart from intimidating and bugging journalist and political opponents while people’s cards and bank information are being cloned and sold off on internet.

    I hope they put it to good use otherwise cyber savvy guys out there will syphon people’s bank accounts dry.

    On a very sad note, this will be a futile but costly exercise as long as Zambia does not its own advanced software coders and engineers.

    • @ wanzelu

      ka wenzelu naiwe uli kapuba fye. no wonder you will never walk the corridors of power

      what does GCHQ in England do? All you mobile phones and internet activities are monitored.

      You are so stup!d that you easily welcome and accept with a smile to be abused and enslaved by the whites and condemn anything and everything that the Zambian govt does irrespective of security and economic benefits to the country.

      Zambia does not need mentally contaminated chaps like you within its borders. Thank you God for that..

      Your contempt is simply reckless.

  3. @Gen 3.1

    Wht has Wanzelu done again ! He is just stating the truth especially of having great Zambian Engineers.

    Personally I am pained tht there is NO GOOD PLANNING in ths Govt. K700,000 its alot of money to pay foreigners !!!.
    It pains me alot !!

  4. This is a welcome move and the police should give the new department due attention and respect and employ qualified professionals. We have embraced ICTs with open arms but we did not take care of the downside of it, which is dangerous to the nation.

  5. To be honest, I would be more worried about Ebola virus coming to Zambia than cybercrime. Cybercrime affects very small proportion of the economy, but Ebora virus will cause havoc. If we cannot contain cholera year in year out, ebora virus will be like end of the world..

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