BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE – Eswatini Communication Commission (ESCCOM), in partnership with the Ministry of ICT, launched a two-day technical training today at Hilton Garden Inn to strengthen Eswatini’s cybersecurity capabilities. The training is part of the national initiative to develop the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) Action Plan and Training Program. Funded by the World Bank, it aims to equip IT professionals with practical skills to manage cybersecurity threats.
The training brings together cybersecurity personnel and IT professionals from government and private organizations. It provides hands-on guidance on CSIRT functions, including service delivery, operational processes, tools and technologies, and competencies needed for effective incident response. Participants also learn how to protect critical systems and respond to cyber threats.
This initiative forms a major milestone in Eswatini’s efforts to operationalize a National CSIRT. Earlier milestones include identifying cybersecurity gaps, engaging stakeholders, and creating a roadmap aligned with national priorities.
Participants were welcomed by Sakhile Dlamini, Acting Director of Communications at the Ministry of ICT, who highlighted the importance of building technical capacity locally. “We want to equip EmaSwati, especially technical officers, with safe cyber practices to guard against intrusions and other cyber threats. This training strengthens our national cybersecurity infrastructure and protects both organizations and citizens,” he said.
The training covered three main areas. The first session introduced CSIRT management, processes, and procedures. The second session focused on technical infrastructure, including servers and networks. The final session taught incident management, showing participants how to handle cyber threats such as ransomware, fraud, and other attacks.
Marius Urkis, CSIRT/SOC Architect from NAD Cyber Security, explained the global context of the training. “We help countries build incident response teams at national and sectoral levels. The goal is to improve capacities, maturity, and readiness to handle cyber threats. We teach participants about tools, technologies, open-source solutions, and internationally recognized models and frameworks,” he said.
Nomfundo Manyatsi-Shongwe, an enterprise security specialist at ERS, said the training is valuable. “It helps me see where improvements are needed and how to strengthen the systems and applications I use,” she said.
The CSIRT training also aligns with regional and international cybersecurity standards. Eswatini’s Computer Crimes Program Act of 2022 and Data Protection Act of 2022 guide the initiative. The program supports government systems, including the recently launched Government-in-Your-Hand mobile application, ensuring that citizens’ data is protected while accessing online services.
Through this training, Eswatini is building a skilled cybersecurity workforce and reinforcing its ability to respond to cyber threats effectively.
