Gov’t fine-tunes tough new cybersecurity law :: Mmegi Online

Technocrats and other stakeholders are finalising the country’s first cybersecurity law, with proposals for tighter security around strategic sectors of the economy and hefty penalties against criminals, including cyber-extortionists and harmful fake social media profiles.

For an extended period of time, the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge and Technology and its various departments and parastatals have been engaging extensively with the industry, as part of development of the Cybersecurity Bill. The Attorney General is set to soon begin work on panel-beating the proposed legislation, preparing it for tabling in Parliament.

According to a circulating rough draft, the proposed law is designed to plug gaps in the Cybercrimes Act of 2018, by including strong sections on the protection of key sectors such as electricity and water, amongst others. The proposed legislation also envisages stiff financial and prison terms for cybercriminals, including those who ply their “trade” on social media.

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