MBABANE: Phesheya Dube, the Principal Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) says, eSwatini has lost R177million through Cybercrime.
Speaking during the launch of the Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the PS said, the aim of the campaign was to raise awareness on the responsibility of cybersecurity in Eswatini, build capabilities to prevent cyberthreats, promote the reporting of cyber incidents and further promote the adoption of secure online behaviour among emaSwati.
“We urge the youth, senior citizens, businesses, and the public to adopt secure online behaviours that will protect their digital lives and safeguard our national interest.Cybercrime is rising exponentially within our borders. The estimated cost of cybercrime in the Kingdom, from January 2022 to June 2023 is a staggering E177M, with online fraud accounting for a significant 95% of that cost.A deeply concerning trend is the increase in child trafficking cases, with 60% of these cases originating from social media platforms. We would like to reiterate our commitment to eradicating such heinous acts, that threaten the moral fibre of our society,” said the PS said quoted by Government online platforms on Wednesday.
On another note, Mvilawemphi Dlamini, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Eswatini Communications Commission(ESCCOM) said, the task of ensuring online safety lies on everyone’s shoulders.
”This enormous task of ensuring online safety in Eswatini lies on our shoulders because we cannot have a robust economy without the necessary safeguards for citizens. Cyber threats can lead to financial losses, reputation damage, and even legal implications”, he said.
Information Ministry Principal Secretary(PS) Phesheya Dube says eSwatini has lost R177million through Cybercrime.