SADC cybercrime threats addressed

The scourge of cybercrime throughout the SADC region continues to challenge lawyers and the authorities. The matter was debated at a workshop addressing the impact of cyber law and cybercrimes at last week's SADC Lawyers’ Association AGM in Gaborone, Botswana. Legalbrief reports that it was a fitting venue considering that the first-ever international cyber security conference was held in Gaborone last year. That event brought together stakeholders to discuss problems posed by Internet-based systems. Continuing on this theme, speakers repeatedly warned that cyber security is a global challenge and it poses unique security challenges. ‘One you decide to connect – you are opening yourself up for security breaches,' said Botswana’s Attorney General Abraham Keetshabe. He said the starting points for any country, region of continent is to have an agreement on how to deal with issues as a collective. ‘Policies and legislation must be policy neutral,’ he said. Keetshabe added that his country has formulated legislation to make sure of personal data protection locally. They include the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act and the Electronic Records (Evidence) Act.