COLUMN: Tanzania’s digital future: Can we win the cybersecurity battle? Part 4

DAR ES SALAAM: AS Tanzania surges forward with its digital transformation, from mobile money in our pockets to smart city plans on the horizon, a silent war is being waged in the digital shadows.

This October, during cyber security awareness month, a critical question demands our attention: Is the nation ready to face the cyber threats of tomorrow?

The digital revolution has brought immense benefits, connecting communities and fuelling economic growth.

But this new frontier also attracts a new breed of criminals. The threats are no longer just viruses on a single computer; they are evolving into sophisticated, large-scale risks that can target our national security, economy and personal safety.

The coming storm: AI, IoT and Deepfakes

The next wave of cyber threats is already forming and it looks different from anything we’ve seen before.

•AI-enabled scams: Imagine a phone call from a family member in distress, their voice perfectly mimicked by artificial intelligence, urgently asking for money. This is not science fiction.

AI can now generate highly personalised phishing emails and create convincing audio and video hoaxes, making it harder than ever to distinguish between what is real and what is a scam.

•IoT vulnerabilities: Our world is getting smarter. From connected refrigerators and security cameras to sensors in our national power grid and water systems, these Internet of Things (IoT) devices are everywhere.

Many, however, are built with minimal security, creating millions of unlocked digital doors for hackers to walk through. A breach could mean anything from a private video feed being spied on to a critical infrastructure failure.

•The deepfake deception: Using AI, malicious actors can create hyper-realistic but fake videos known as deepfakes of public figures.

A fabricated video of a government official or business leader making an inflammatory statement could be used to manipulate stock markets, incite social unrest, or destabilise trust in our institutions. These are not distant threats.

They are the new tools in the cybercriminal’s toolkit, and they are levelling the playing field against traditional defences.

The national shield Strategies and laws

Recognising this escalating danger, the Government of Tanzania has taken significant steps to build a national line of defence. The cornerstone of this effort is the Tanzania cybersecurity strategy (2023–2028).

This five-year blueprint outlines a comprehensive plan to protect the nation’s digital space.

Its focus is on strengthening national cybersecurity institutions, building a skilled workforce, promoting public-private partnerships and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness from the grassroots level. Complementing this strategy is the crucial Data Protection Act.

As we entrust more of our personal information to digital services, this law provides a vital framework for how that data should be collected, stored and used.

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It holds organisations accountable for breaches and gives citizens rights over their personal information, forming the bedrock of digital trust. Stronger together: Regional and global cooperation Cyber threats do not respect borders.

A hacker in another continent can target a bank in Dar es Salaam as easily as one in Arusha. Therefore, Tanzania’s fight cannot be fought in isolation.

Through bodies like the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), Tanzania is collaborating with neighbours and partners. This cooperation is key.

It allows for the sharing of threat intelligence, so if Kenya detects a new type of attack, Tanzania can be alerted.

It also enables harmonised cyber laws, making it harder for criminals to exploit legal loopholes between countries and facilitates joint capacity-building exercises to ensure a regionwide standard of cyber resilience.

The Human firewall: Youth, schools and innovators While government frameworks are essential, winning this battle requires a whole-of-society approach.

The most critical element is our people, particularly the youth. · Schools and universities: Cybersecurity must be integrated into the educational curriculum.

It shouldn’t be just a topic for IT students. From primary school lessons on safe online behaviour to university degrees dedicated to cyber defence, we must seed the knowledge early.

The youth: As digital natives, young Tanzanians are the most connected generation. They can be the front line of defence.

By channelling their tech-savviness into positive channels learning ethical hacking, developing secure apps and educating their elders so they can become a powerful army of cyber guardians.

Tech innovators: Local tech startups and innovators are not just users of the digital economy; they are its architects.

They have a responsibility and an opportunity to build security into their products and applications from the ground up, “security by design.”

They can develop locally relevant solutions to tackle Tanzania-specific cyber challenges.

The final call: It starts with you The most sophisticated technology and the most robust laws will fail without vigilant citizens.

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. This is not just a slogan; it is a reality. Your actions form the first and last line of defence. Here is what you can do today:

1. Use strong, unique passwords: Consider using a password manager.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a critical second step to your logins.

3. Think before you click: Be sceptical of unexpected links and attachments, even from known contacts.

-4. Update your software: Those update notifications patch security holes. Don’t ignore them.

5. Verify information: Don’t share shocking videos or news until you’ve confirmed they are real. The battle for Tanzania’s digital future is underway.

It is a battle fought not only by government experts in command centres but by every individual with a smartphone.

By combining strong national strategies, regional cooperation and an empowered, vigilant citizenry, we can not only defend against the coming storm but also secure a safe and prosperous digital future for all Tanzanians.