Business / Companies
90% of Zimbabwean firms exposed to cyber crime
16 May 2014 at 08:10hrs | Views
Local cellphone firm Astro Mobile chief executive Munyaradzi Gwatidzo said at least 90% of local companies, including banks, are exposed to cyber crime.
Speaking at a function to launch a new cellphone, Astra Virtual II in Harare on Wednesday, Gwatidzo said the indiscriminate use of private gadget to access corporate emails and Wi Fi internet connection have left most firms 100% exposed.
"Local firms must invest more in internet security to avoid losing millions of dollars from the white collar crime.
"Most CEO are using mobile phones to access corporate emails, as well as using company Wi Fi to access WhatsApp. This is highly dangerous because it gives hackers easy lee way to penetrate company servers," he said.
Cyber crime takes various forms, including spam, which disrupts networks, cuts productivity and spreads viruses.
It also involves distribution of offensive material like racist propaganda, electronic money laundering, electronic vandalism, terrorism, extortion, hacking and illegal interception of telecommunications, which violates individual privacy.
Gwatidzo warned that cyber crime is on the increase globally and it is a matter of time before it becomes a local menace.
"Banks are exposed on this issue. If bank managers use private gadgets to access corporate emails and they lose the phones then the bank is in trouble.
"Hackers can penetrate company servers and transfer funds into their accounts and withdraw cash from the ATM. Local companies should encrypt their mobile gadgets to be safe," he added.
Currently the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] (hereinafter referred to as the Code) provides for Computer- related crimes under Chapter VIII of the Act.
This law is undergoing reform as more traditional offences are now being committed using computers and the internet.
Most cases were dealt with by the lower courts (magistrates courts and these are unreported).
In a presentation at SADC Harmonised Legal Cyber Security Framework For Southern Africa last year, Revai Sweto - Mukuruba said Zimbabwe (in Chapter VIII of the Code) has a cybercrime framework aimed at addressing the prevention of illegal hacking of computers in furtherance of the commission of other serious offences.
She however said it does not cover other computer crimes such as illegal system interference, spam, and illegal devices.
Speaking at a function to launch a new cellphone, Astra Virtual II in Harare on Wednesday, Gwatidzo said the indiscriminate use of private gadget to access corporate emails and Wi Fi internet connection have left most firms 100% exposed.
"Local firms must invest more in internet security to avoid losing millions of dollars from the white collar crime.
"Most CEO are using mobile phones to access corporate emails, as well as using company Wi Fi to access WhatsApp. This is highly dangerous because it gives hackers easy lee way to penetrate company servers," he said.
Cyber crime takes various forms, including spam, which disrupts networks, cuts productivity and spreads viruses.
It also involves distribution of offensive material like racist propaganda, electronic money laundering, electronic vandalism, terrorism, extortion, hacking and illegal interception of telecommunications, which violates individual privacy.
Gwatidzo warned that cyber crime is on the increase globally and it is a matter of time before it becomes a local menace.
"Banks are exposed on this issue. If bank managers use private gadgets to access corporate emails and they lose the phones then the bank is in trouble.
"Hackers can penetrate company servers and transfer funds into their accounts and withdraw cash from the ATM. Local companies should encrypt their mobile gadgets to be safe," he added.
Currently the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] (hereinafter referred to as the Code) provides for Computer- related crimes under Chapter VIII of the Act.
This law is undergoing reform as more traditional offences are now being committed using computers and the internet.
Most cases were dealt with by the lower courts (magistrates courts and these are unreported).
In a presentation at SADC Harmonised Legal Cyber Security Framework For Southern Africa last year, Revai Sweto - Mukuruba said Zimbabwe (in Chapter VIII of the Code) has a cybercrime framework aimed at addressing the prevention of illegal hacking of computers in furtherance of the commission of other serious offences.
She however said it does not cover other computer crimes such as illegal system interference, spam, and illegal devices.
Source - Zim Mail
