NAM-CSIRT hosts critical DNS resilience training
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT), operating under the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), hosted a Domain Name System (DNS) Resilience Training in Windhoek from 17 to 20 February 2026.
The capacity-building initiative, facilitated by the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa (C3SA), aimed to strengthen DNS security awareness and response capabilities across the region.
DNS abuse, including botnets, denial-of-service attacks and phishing, continues to pose a serious threat to internet integrity in Southern Africa. These attacks often exploit vulnerabilities within country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registries, registrars and registrants, many of which lack sufficient security controls and coordinated response mechanisms. Limited stakeholder engagement, low awareness of DNS-related risks and fragmented response strategies further increase regional vulnerability.
In response, the training equipped stakeholders with practical tools to strengthen DNS resilience. Sessions focused on implementing core DNS security controls, improving policy and compliance frameworks, identifying industry vulnerabilities, conducting attack simulations, enhancing system monitoring, and promoting regional collaboration for intelligence sharing and incident response.
CRAN Chief Executive Officer and Head of NAM-CSIRT, Emilia Nghikembua, emphasised the importance of secure DNS infrastructure. “Resilient and secure DNS systems are fundamental to protecting our digital economies and maintaining public trust. This training has empowered stakeholders to better identify, prevent and respond to DNS abuse,” she said.
The initiative formed part of a broader Participatory Action Research (PAR) project examining awareness levels, practices and challenges related to DNS abuse across Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Data was collected from nine countries - Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe - identified among the most vulnerable in the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index.
Participants engaged in document reviews, surveys, interviews and group discussions to identify gaps and best practices. The long-term objective is to establish a stronger regional response mechanism that enhances cooperation and resilience.
Nghikembua concluded that the training underscores NAM-CSIRT and CRAN’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient cyberspace through sustained capacity development and regional collaboration.
