Namibia Urged to Strengthen Human Firewall This October

By Staff Reporter

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month begins, experts warn Namibian businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, to strengthen their human firewall against cyber criminals through awareness, training, and practical defence measures.

The nationwide campaign, marked every October, seeks to highlight the growing risks of cyber attacks as Namibia increasingly adopts online banking, e-government platforms, and cloud services.

The initiative was launched in Windhoek by Meinert Cyber security, led by Co-founder Ms.Tanya Hopker.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Hopker stressed that 95% of cyber attacks involve human error, making employees the weakest link in digital security. “Firewalls, antivirus, and complex passwords only protect you if your people are ready,” she said.

Namibian SMEs are particularly vulnerable, with 85% of attacks targeting them, largely because they lack dedicated cybersecurity teams. Hopker emphasised that affordable awareness programmes, phishing simulations, and hands-on training can transform staff into a company’s strongest defence.

She added that common mistakes such as clicking on phishing links, reusing passwords, or giving in to urgency often open the door to hackers. “The difference between survival and collapse comes down to alert, trained employees who know how to spot threats,” Hopker noted.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 serves as a call to action for Namibia. By investing in staff training and awareness, businesses can reduce risks, protect vital information, and build a safer digital future for the country.

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