“The protection of critical information infrastructure across key sectors is vital for the operation of essential services that are crucial to the society and economy of our country,” stated Lourino Chemane, President of the National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC), in Maputo at the inauguration of the International Cybersecurity Week.
In the same address, he emphasized the need for institutions to “urgently” establish operational mechanisms to handle incidents, noting that Mozambique’s strategic sectors rely on vulnerable digital systems. He stressed that both public and private entities should develop their own cyberattack response teams.
“We urge the entities responsible for managing critical information infrastructure to prioritize the creation of effective institutional cybersecurity incident response teams,” he added.
The International Cybersecurity Week encompasses the second national meeting of incident response teams (CSIRTs) and training activities aimed at enhancing the prevention and response capabilities of both public sector and private sector technicians to fend off cyberattacks.
The event includes discussions on digital geopolitics, cyber diplomacy, and artificial intelligence.
During the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Mozambique and Togo to strengthen cooperation between the CSIRTs of both countries, with a focus on sharing information on emerging threats and enhancing regional resilience.
Lourino Chemane stated that the partnership “marks a significant milestone” in the joint response to digital threats, aligning Mozambique with the National Cybersecurity Policy and the goal of building a “more secure and resilient African digital ecosystem.”
“The signing of this agreement enhances Mozambique’s commitment to working with other African countries to ensure a safer, more reliable, and inclusive cyberspace,” he concluded, as quoted in an official note published on the institution’s official page.
The memorandum outlines four priority areas for cooperation: strengthening the technical and operational capabilities of the incident response teams of the two countries, sharing information on emerging threats and vulnerabilities, promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and contributing to strengthening the cyber resilience of Mozambique, Togo, and the African region.
Cybercrimes in Mozambique increased by 16% last year compared to 2023, warned Deputy Attorney General Amabélia Chuquela on June 5, pointing to the lack of resources and public awareness of the issue as contributing factors.
“The crimes most frequently perpetrated are related to fraud involving electronic payment instruments and channels, as well as computer and communication fraud,” stated Amabélia Chuquela.
