Silence Charumbira
The 2024 Cybersecurity Summit ended on a high note in Maseru Thursday with experts emphasising the importance of data protection while online as well as taking caution with new technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI).
The summit, which started Wednesday, was attended by technology specialists from different organisations and scholars from Lesotho and South Africa.
With the proliferation AI platforms, it was imperative to ensure that users understood the pitfalls that came with submitting their important data, experts said.
It was also vital for users to educate themselves about the platforms that they use.
While AI had made it easier for people to execute certain tasks more efficiently, it opened users to multiple risks.
Participants said it was therefore imperative for similar conversations to continue in Lesotho to stimulate awareness and poke authorities to start formulating laws that regulate the online space.
Lesotho does not have a Cybersecurity act, and this left citizens at the mercy of criminals.
A representative from the Lesotho Mounted Police said the police were working hard to upskill officers. However, resources were scarce and officers were always reactionary.
Nevertheless, efforts were being channeled to safeguard users while some monies lost through cybercrimes had been recovered.
Lerotholi Polytechnic lecturer, Thato Khiba said they were actively looking to partner with the private and public sectors to get experts assist in tailouring programmes that were market responsive.
He said there was need for more support for tertiary institutions to ensure that their trainings moved with the times.
Others speakers said resources were needed for research and innovation.
Doreen Mokoena, the CEO of Cybersec Clinique, said it was important deconstruct patriarchal mentalities that fuel stereotypes.
Most women were in departments like health, human resources and other but there was little representation in the technology space.
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She said the current landscape women made just 28% of technology workforce despite constituting nearly 50% of the general workforce.
“In leadership roles, the percentage drops even further illustrating a clear gender gap. This disparity highlights not just an employment issue but also a systematic problem that affects innovation, workplace culture and economic growth,” Mokoena said.
In 2020, she was one of the 50 top women in cybersecurity in Africa. Of those, 50 percent were from Ghana, a country that does not just consume “but they build their own”.
“Equal representation ensures that tech products and services cater to everyone not just the perspectives of a few,” Mokoena said.
Rorisang Molefe
Added Rorisang Molefe from Linear Visions Consulting: “Don’t wait for men to open the door for you. Push harder to get in…Toughen up”.
Itumeleng Mathumba, Cybersec Clinique’s legal and compliance officer, said there was need to make technology attractive for women.
“We need to make technology attractive so that it draws women,” Mathumba said.
