Lesotho has taken several steps to improve cybersecurity and counter cybercrime. However, ongoing efforts to address the evolving nature of cyber threats and ensure that individuals, businesses and government entities are adequately protected.
Some of the existing efforts of cybercrime counter measures in Lesotho include:
- Cybersecurity policy and strategy – In 2018, Lesotho developed a National Cybersecurity policy and strategy to provide a framework for addressing cyber threats and risks.
- Legal framework – Lesotho has enacted legislation called Electronic Communications Act (2005) and the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill (2019) to combat cybercrime.
- Capacity building – Lesotho has taken steps to build capacity in the area of cybersecurity through training workshops for government entities, private sector and civil society organisations.
- Awareness campaigns – Lesotho has conducted public awareness campaigns to educate the public about cybersecurity risks and best practices.
- Incident response – Lesotho has established a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to handle cybersecurity incidents and coordinate response.
- International cooperation – Lesotho has collaborated with other countries and international organisations on cybersecurity issues. The African Union (AU) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
to mention a few. - Public Private Partnerships – Lesotho has encouraged Public Private Partnerships to improve cybersecurity, including government entities and private sector organisations.
The country’s commitment to cybersecurity is demonstrated through it’s existing efforts, which encompass a comprehensive legal framework, capacity building initiatives, and international collaborations. These measures reflect the country’s proactive approach in addressing cyber
threats and ensuring the protection of its ecosystem.
Legal framework
Lesotho has made efforts to establish a Legal Framework for Cybersecurity and Computer and Cyber Crime Act of 2016. The Act gives provisions related to cyber offenses and outlines regulations on how to address cyber threats and protect internet users.
Capacity building
Lesotho, for a long time didn’t address cybercrimes or to put cybercriminals to account because they didn’t have resources and the capacity for incidents response. But efforts have been made to capacitate law enforcement agencies such as the LMPS, Lesotho Defense Force (LDF), National
Security Service (NSS) and Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS) by providing cybersecurity trainings and resources to combat cybercrime.
There had been establishments of specialised cybersecurity units with law enforcement agencies in order to focus on cybercrime investigations and response.
International collaboration
The country is a member of international organisations working on cybersecurity issues.
Some of the international organisations working on cybersecurity issues
which Lesotho has active membership is INTERPOL –
https://www.interpolnyc.com/, Internet Society –
https://www.internetsociety.org/, United Nations Group of Governmental
Experts – https:// www.un.org/, African Union and Southern Africa Development Community, which allows for information sharing, cooperation and access to resources and expertise.
