Zimbabwe is hosting the inaugural International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Inter-Regional CyberDrill for the Africa and Arab regions in Victoria Falls, bringing together regulators, security agencies and technical experts in a large-scale exercise aimed at strengthening global cyber resilience and preparedness.
The exercise, running from 30 June to 3 July, is being held in partnership with the ITU, INTERPOL and FIRST, and has drawn participation from regulators, policymakers, academia, private sector actors, civil society organisations and technology specialists across the two regions.
In a statement, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) said the CyberDrill serves as a vital platform for promoting meaningful dialogue, strengthening capacity building, fostering innovation and enhancing collaboration in cybersecurity and data privacy.
POTRAZ said the exercise also promotes meaningful dialogue and strengthens collaboration on cybersecurity and data protection among participating countries.
“The CyberDrill serves as a vital platform for promoting meaningful dialogue, strengthening capacity building, fostering innovation and enhancing collaboration in cybersecurity and data privacy.
“It brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including regulators, policymakers, academia, private sector leaders, civil society organisations, technology innovators and international partners,” the authority said.
The regulator explained that the engagement will help strengthen institutional capacity and facilitate the sharing of best practices in managing cyber risks across participating states.
“The event aims to improve regional cooperation, strengthen cyber resilience and enhance preparedness in responding to emerging cyber threats across the Africa and Arab regions,” said POTRAZ.
Participants are expected to take part in simulated cyber incident response exercises, exchange technical expertise and engage in discussions on emerging cybersecurity trends, policy approaches and data protection frameworks.
The Authority said the initiative comes as governments across Africa and the Arab region continue investing in stronger cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard critical infrastructure, digital services and citizens’ data amid increasing digital transformation.
The hosting of the ITU Inter-Regional CyberDrill aligns with Government’s policy thrust of accelerating digital transformation under National Development Strategy 1, while strengthening cybersecurity and protecting critical information infrastructure.
It also supports Zimbabwe’s vision of building a secure, inclusive and resilient digital economy through international cooperation, skills development and enhanced institutional capacity to respond to evolving cyber threats.
