Cyber Drill sounds alarm on AI, IoT and quantum threats
Larona Makhaiza | Monday March 9, 2026 12:41
Speaking during the official opening of the four-day drill, Martin Mokgware, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), said cyber incidents can no longer be treated as isolated IT disruptions.
“A cyber incident is not just an IT problem. It is a national catastrophe that affects citizens, businesses, and how our country functions,” Mokware said.
The drill, hosted by BOCRA in partnership with the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), brought together security agencies, regulators, and critical infrastructure operators to intensify Botswana’s readiness against emerging cyberthreats.
Mokgware outlined three major risk frontiers reshaping the threat landscape: Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing.
“We are seeing AI-generated deep fakes used for sophisticated disinformation and fraud. AI is powering malware that can learn and adapt to evade detection,” he said, challenging participants to assess whether their response systems can withstand “an adversary that is not human speed, but AI speed.”
He warned that the explosion of IoT devices from smart electricity meters to hospital systems has significantly widened Botswana’s attack surface.
“Every single connected device is a potential entry point for our adversary,” he cautioned.
Looking further ahead, Mokgware raised concerns about quantum computing, revealing that cybercriminals are already harvesting encrypted data in anticipation of future decryption capabilities.
“Adversaries are already stealing encrypted data today, waiting for the day they can unlock it,” he said, urging institutions to begin planning for post-quantum.
Offering a global perspective, FIRST Chair Olivier Caleff emphasised anticipation and teamwork as the cornerstones of resilience.
“We must not wait for the attacks. They come, unfortunately. So we have to be ready and act beforehand,” Caleff said.
He dismissed the idea of lone cybersecurity heroes, stressing that effective response requires multidisciplinary teams.
“We are not in a Hollywood movie. We don’t have superheroes battling cyber incidents. It is the role of a team,” he said.
Both speakers underscored that collaboration across sectors and borders remains Botswana’s strongest defence in an increasingly complex digital battlefield.