National Strategy: Good Foundation, More Capacity and Review Needed

Samuel Straw t the Countering Disinformation and Promoting Digital Transparency workshop, commended Eswatini’s National Cybersecurity Strategy for clarity and alignment with global best practice but urged steady implementation, regular review and sharper role definition across ministries.

Straw said the 2022 strategy’s vision which is to deliver a safe, secure and resilient cyberspace is sound and that its five strategic pillars (protecting infrastructure, strengthening law, building skills, improving public awareness and enhancing cooperation) create a balanced programme.

He emphasised that this foundation must now be matched by up-to-date data, adequate funding and a sustained pipeline of trained personnel.

A key concern, he said, is human capacity. Eswatini, like many countries, needs more cybersecurity specialists and structured training pathways.

Straw recommended short-term measures such as regional secondments and AfricaCERT partnerships to plug immediate gaps, while investing in local education and certification programmes for a longer-term talent pipeline.

Governance clarity was another priority. Straw called for clear, cross-ministry protocols that state who leads detection, who coordinates takedown requests, and how evidence is handed to law enforcement.

He urged an incident-response playbook with defined stages like detection, verification, platform takedown, public correction and transparent reporting so that responses are swift and legally sound.

Moreover, supply-chain risks and critical infrastructure mapping featured in his recommendations. Straw warned that connected devices, chargers and industrial controllers can be exploited; he urged a consolidated registry of national assets and sectoral standards to remove weak links.

He also urged procurement guidelines that assess security risks across supply chains.

Public behaviour and media literacy remain weak links, he said. Straw pressed for continuous national awareness campaigns, school curricula on digital hygiene and accessible reporting portals so citizens and journalists can flag suspicious content.

He recommended that platform moderation be paired with transparency reporting and an appeals mechanism to keep countermeasures accountable.

Finally, Straw advised annual reviews of the strategy and data updates to ensure interventions match evolving threats especially as AI expands attackers’ capabilities.

He praised the workshop’s multi-stakeholder character and urged sustained collaboration with partners such as Taiwan and regional bodies.

Participants welcomed his practical roadmap, describing the session as timely and useful in guiding next steps for Eswatini’s cybersecurity and misinformation response.