By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, November 22, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has intensified cyber security awareness engagements with various stakeholders across the country in a bid to popularize some of its laws.

Speaking Thursday when the Authority engaged youth who are undergoing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Ungweru Organization in Mzuzu, MACRA Consumer Press Officer, Brave Kaira, said internet has become a catalyst for conducting businesses hence the need to ensure its accessibility.

He said apart from several disadvantages of utilizing cyber space, the facilities have underlying threats amongst most users who are not aware of the laws and regulations governing the industry.

“Due to lack of knowledge of the regulations and laws most consumers fall victim to social engineering, spread of misinformation, fake news, fraud and electronic transactions among other cybercrimes, hence this engagement,” said Kaira.

He added that it is everyone’s role to ensure cyber security at all costs for a safe cyber space as everything is going digital.

“Here are some tips which you can apply to prevent you from falling to cyber-crimes. Some of these include use of strong passwords for your digital media platform accounts, always communicate with people you know, think before sharing any post and verify links before clicking,” he said.

One of the students at Ungweru Organization, Wingstone Gozalimo, commended MACRA for the intervention, saying it will go a long way in ensuring that people, mostly youth, use internet effectively and responsibly.

On Friday, the Authority engaged religious leaders, social media influencers and community leaders drawn from Mzuzu on a similar exercise with the aim of reaching more people with cyber awareness, education and information on the dangers of misusing cyber space.

Speaking when he opened the meeting, MACRA Consumer Affairs Manager, Hatchson Mkwapatira, said the Authority cannot reach out to all people, hence interacting with the selected consumers and stakeholders.

“Our intention is to ensure that every consumer is aware of laws and regulations of cyber space and penalties of being found on the wrong side of the law.

“We intend to have cyber inspectors and the office is already created. We are waiting for Parliament to endorse Cyber Inspectors Law,” said Mkwapatira.

The inspectors will be responsible enforcement of the laws and regulations.