DAR ES SALAAM: THE government on Friday announced the formation of a task force to combat the growing challenges of cybercrime and ensure security and safety of the public.
The task force is expected to carry out special operations in critical areas that are mostly affected by the cyber threats.
Set to begin immediately, the task force will consist of members and representatives from various government agencies, including the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Speaking during a joint presentation with the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology at a stakeholder meeting on cybercrime in Dar es Salaam, Minister for Home Affairs, Engineer Ahmad Masauni said the government is doing everything in its power to address cybercrime incidents for better operations of economic activities and social related matters.
The meeting was attended by various communication stakeholders, including telecommunication companies and service providers. “The need for continued collaboration is clear,” said Engineer Masauni.
He added: “The battle against cybercrime is evolving rapidly, not just in scale but also in its methods. To address this challenge, we must unite our efforts across various sectors to tackle its swift growth.”
The minister insisted on the importance of increasing investment in human resources, capital and modern equipment as well as improving technological expertise for staff, including police officers.
He also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her practical efforts in boosting investment in the Police Force’s Cybercrime Unit.
He noted that, for a long time, the unit lacked such investments, but with the availing of modern equipment, the unit is now operating effectively.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Jerry Silaa, shared key resolutions from the meeting, including agreements with telecommunication companies to improve the management of communication services.
He said one of the major initiatives is the enhancement of SIM card registration through biometric data. Mr Silaa also urged telecommunication companies to continue educating their customers on safe and responsible use of services to help reduce cybercrime.
He called for cooperation among companies and other stakeholders when cybercrime incidents occur.
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“The ministry will continue to oversee the implementation of the ICT policy, including making necessary adjustments to keep pace with the rapid growth of the communication sector in the country,” said Mr Silaa.
He added that the ministry will continue to foster cooperation among stakeholders in addressing cybersecurity issues, particularly through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
“This partnership aims to strengthen oversight of communication service providers, especially regarding SIM card registration and to take appropriate action against violations of registration regulations,” he said.
Furthermore, the minister urged all citizens to avoid accepting instructions from SIM card numbers other than the official customer service lines and to refrain from sharing sensitive information, such as passwords, with fraudsters.
According to the TCRA’s Communication Statistics Quarterly Report for the period ending September 2024, Rukwa and Morogoro have been identified as the most vulnerable regions in cybercrime, ranking first and second, followed by Mbeya, Dar es Salaam and Arusha.
