The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has reassured the government and the general public that it remains capable in its mandate to protect consumers from cybercrime.
Acting ZICTA Director General Collins Mbulo noted the growing demand for the use of ICTs but reaffirmed the authority’s capability to regulate the industry effectively.
“You can count on us, and we would like to send this message to you as the government and all our stakeholders. We are aware of what is going on in the sector, and we also recognize that ICTs are driving economic growth in the nation through various efforts in almost every industry. We see that ICT is a very important component,” Mbulo said.
Mbulo stated that the regulatory body is aware of and actively addressing the rising cases of cybercrime in the country, with the growing number of people utilizing cyberspace.
“As these ICTs grow and there is more usage, they bring a lot of opportunities and benefits to individuals and to the country at large, but along with these benefits, there also come challenges, which we recognize,” he said.
Mbulo further disclosed that ZICTA has collaborated with law enforcement agencies in a bid to curb the growing number of cybercrimes and other negative online practices.
“We have strategies to address these challenges. One of the strategies we have is to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies and establish a framework with these agencies,” he said.
Another measure that ZICTA is actively employing is to sensitize the public to be wary and cautious of cyber sharks, Mbulo also disclosed.
“We also recognize that we need to ensure that consumers are educated about their rights and responsibilities, and ZICTA is here to ensure that consumers are educated,” said Mbulo.
ZICTA has since engaged the government through the Ministry of Information and Media to disseminate information to the public on ways to protect themselves from cybercrime and report any incidents encountered.
“One of our efforts is to engage with the Ministry of Information and Media so that we can identify ways to communicate more effectively with our consumers. This way, we can have consumers who will use ICTs more responsibly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mbulo has warned scammers and individuals engaging in cyber misdeeds to desist from their practices or face the full course of the law.
“I’d like to send a message to the scammers that we are working closely with law enforcement agencies, and once those cases are reported, we will follow up, and you will face the law. Today you might be lucky, but maybe not tomorrow,” he said.
Mbulo was speaking this morning when he and the ZICTA board paid a courtesy call on Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana to find ways of informing the public about cybercrime.