By Celestina Tiyankenji Mbewe
The Czech Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Zambia’s cybersecurity capabilities through technical expertise development and capacity-building initiatives.
Speaking at the opening of an intensive cybersecurity training programme in Lusaka, Mr. Milan Kalců, Second Secretary and Head of Cooperation at the Czech Embassy, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in tackling emerging digital threats.
“It is important to acknowledge the shifting geopolitical landscape and assess our levels of cooperation in critical areas such as cybersecurity. Through capacity building and the empowerment of tactical experts, we can better equip ourselves to address emerging threats in the digital space,” Kalců said.
The training, organized in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), is part of Zambia’s broader efforts to enhance its cyber resilience.
ZICTA Director General Collins Mbulo underscored the initiative’s alignment with Zambia’s National Cybersecurity Policy, which prioritizes specialized cybersecurity training and the development of Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs).
“The frequency and sophistication of cyber threats continue to escalate globally. It is, therefore, imperative that we build our capacity to respond swiftly and effectively. This training will equip participants with critical skills in incident response, threat hunting, and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), all of which are essential to modern cybersecurity operations,” Mbulo said
The four-day training, funded by the Czech Republic, aims to strengthen Zambia’s ability to combat cyber threats while fostering inter-agency cooperation. Also present at the event was Mr. Serge Valery Zongo, leading the ITU delegation.
“The success of this training will not be measured by today’s attendance but by the enhanced collaboration and coordination between agencies moving forward. I encourage all participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and build lasting partnerships that will fortify Zambia’s cyber defenses,” Mbulo urged.