Cybersecurity in Namibia: Protecting your digital gold
Namibians are increasingly living - and shopping - online. Yet, as digital convenience grows, so too does digital risk. Just last week, headlines reported another major cyberattack in Namibia, a reminder that cybercrime is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality.As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, thousands will turn to online shopping for the year’s best deals. But while consumers hunt for discounts, cybercriminals are hunting for data. Fake websites, phishing emails, and malware are just some of the traps set to steal credit card information or personal details.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to soar to US$10.5 trillion by 2025 - more than the combined worth of Apple and Amazon. Namibia, though smaller in scale, is not immune. Its businesses and consumers remain relatively easy targets for international hacking syndicates.
Businesses at risk
Cybercrime doesn’t only affect individuals. One careless click by an employee can compromise an entire company’s systems. Human error remains the single greatest cybersecurity weakness. Hackers exploit this by using deceptive emails or links to gain access to sensitive data.
People think antivirus software is enough. It isn’t. Businesses need proper incident response plans to contain breaches, notify those affected, and restore systems quickly. Without this, recovery can be slow, expensive, and even fatal for smaller firms.”
The rise of ransomware
Ransomware is now one of the fastest-growing cyber threats. It locks users out of their systems until a ransom is paid, often in cryptocurrency. For many businesses, paying is cheaper than restoring systems from backups, making this form of attack highly lucrative.
Adding to the challenge is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven attacks. Criminals now use AI to generate realistic phishing emails, write malicious code, and adapt strategies in real time. These scams are harder to detect and more sophisticated than ever before.
A national wake-up call
Cybersecurity must become as routine as locking our doors at night. Namibia needs a stronger culture of online safety, both at home and at work. This means:
• Investing in modern cybersecurity systems and skilled personnel
• Educating employees and families about online risks
• Staying informed about emerging threats
• Developing proactive monitoring and response protocols
Staying vigilant in the digital age
As Namibia’s digital footprint expands, so does its exposure to online crime. Every connected device, from mobile phones to corporate servers, represents a potential entry point for attackers.
Cybercrime is not an abstract risk; it is real, growing, and costly. But it can be managed through awareness, preparation, and collective responsibility.
By treating data as our new “digital gold” and protecting it with the same care we give to physical assets, Namibians can ensure that the festive season and every season remains safe, secure and scam-free.
* Peter Karon is an Infrastructure Supervisor at Green Enterprise Solutions.