National Cyber-security campaign launched

A WOMEN-DRIVEN, Pan African Information and Communication Technology (ICT) start-up firm, Viking Technointell Group has embarked on a national cyber-security campaign to increase awareness among local Internet users, with the aim to reduce cases of cyber bulling, hacking and revenge porn.

The campaign code named Cyber-Security Awareness 263, kicked off on Tuesday last week and will run until 6 July under the theme “Safeguarding Our Data Today for a Secure Digital Future”.

Viking Technointell Group chief executive officer Miss Sithabile Ndlovu told Sunday News that the campaign is aimed at educating Zimbabweans on the risks and benefits of being digital citizens.

“The purpose of this campaign is to create citizen awareness, focusing on educating, coaching and training the users of the World Wide Web (www) and other Internet related services on the risks, benefits and precautions that come with being a digital citizen, while also giving insight on the best practices that promote responsible, accountable and ethically sound coexistence in the digital ecosystem,” she said.

Miss Ndlovu added, “Indeed if Zimbabwe is to grow and we are to be part of the rest of the world, we need to be equally and fully prepared to defend the data and integrity of all the users within our borders who transact and interact on the global information highway.”

She said the campaign was targeting four main categories of citizens which include, Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and corporates, the Government, academia and the general public.

The two-tiered campaign, Miss Ndlovu said, kicked off with the first phase of an intensive media campaign which will be followed by a second phase of a series of public events with the main event pencilled for Bulawayo next month.

“The campaign uses intensive advertising and social media campaigns on all available mediums.

“Leveraging on the links the relevant partners have built in the technology and media industries over time, we aim to use these channels to distribute mass information resource tools targeted more especially at consumer awareness and education on cyber threats, security and prevention methods,” she said.

@irielyan