NAMIBIA CYBER SECURITY INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM (NAM-CSIRT) HOSTS CRITICAL DNS RESILIENCE TRAINING
23 FEBRUARY 2026 – WINDHOEK
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT), housed under the auspices of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), hosted the Domain Name System (DNS) Resilience Training from 17 to 20 February 2026 in Windhoek. This vital capacity-building initiative was facilitated by the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa (C3SA) and aimed to bolster DNS security awareness and response capabilities across the region.
DNS abuse, ranging from botnets and denial-of-service attacks to phishing and other malicious activities, poses a significant threat to the integrity of the Internet in Southern Africa. Such abuses often exploit vulnerabilities within country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) registries, registrars, and registrants, which frequently lack the necessary security controls and collaborative mechanisms to defend against such threats. The region’s cyber infrastructure remains vulnerable due to insufficient stakeholder engagement, limited awareness of DNS-related risks, and a lack of coordinated response strategies.
Recognizing these challenges, the DNS resilience training equipped regional stakeholders with practical knowledge and skills to strengthen DNS security. The training emphasised on implementing basic DNS infrastructure security controls, strategy, policy and compliance, industry vulnerabilities, attack simulations and defense, resource allocation for system monitoring, and fostering regional collaboration for intelligence sharing and incident response.
Speaking at the training, Mrs. Emilia Nghikembua, CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer and Head of NAM-CSIRT, stated that, “The importance of resilient and secure DNS infrastructure cannot be overstated. This training empowered our stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to DNS abuse, thereby safeguarding our digital economies and public trust.”
The initiative was part of a broader research project conducted through Participatory Action Research (PAR), aimed at understanding the level of awareness, practices, and challenges faced by Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in combating DNS abuse. This project involved data collection from nine (9) countries, namely Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, with these nations identified as among the most vulnerable in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI).
“Capacity building remains a strategic priority. The skills and knowledge gained through this training must be translated into tangible actions within our local contexts. It is only through continuous education, training, and implementation that we can sustain the momentum and adapt to emerging challenges,” added Mrs. Nghikembua.
Over the course of the training, participants engaged in multiple activities, including document reviews, interviews, surveys, focus group discussions, and course evaluations. These activities helped identify gaps, opportunities, and best practices for regional DNS resilience. The ultimate goal was to develop a regional response mechanism that enhances cooperation, knowledge sharing, and resilience across Southern Africa.
“The DNS resilience training underscores NAM-CSIRT and CRAN’s commitment to strengthening cyber defences in Namibia and the broader Southern African region. By building capacity, raising awareness, and promoting regional cooperation, this initiative seeked to create a safer, more resilient cyberspace for all,” cocluded Mrs. Nghikembua.
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Issued By:
Mr. Mufaro Nesongano
Executive: Communication and Consumer Relations
On behalf: Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT), housed by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)
Tel: +264 61 222 666
Email: Communications@cran.na
