By: Tanya Hopker
A staff member at a small business in Windhoek receives what looks like an urgent email from their bank. Within minutes, sensitive data is compromised—and the business is left scrambling to recover.
Stories like this are becoming more common in Namibia’s fast-changing digital landscape. October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how the country can protect itself as it embraces online banking, e-government platforms, and cloud services. These advances bring efficiency and growth, but also new risks. And cybercriminals are watching closely.
Firewalls, antivirus, and complex passwords only protect you if your people are ready – 95% of cyberattacks involve human interaction. The weakest link isn’t technology, it’s us. For Namibia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) – the backbone of the economy – the threat is especially pressing.
It has been observed that 85% of attacks specifically target SMEs because many lack dedicated cybersecurity teams, making them easy prey. Awareness and training are the most cost-effective ways to strengthen your defence.
Mistakes like clicking on phishing emails, mismanaging passwords, or succumbing to urgency and misplaced trust are the very openings cybercriminals exploit. The difference between survival and collapse often comes down to one thing: trained, alert employees who know how to spot a threat.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is more than a reminder—it is a call to action. Through phishing simulations, hands-on workshops, and practical training, Namibian organisations can transform their staff from the weakest link into the strongest defence.
That one click doesn’t have to be the end of the story. This October, turn awareness into action. Educate your people, protect your business, and safeguard Namibia’s digital future.
Tanya Hopker is a cofounder at Meinert Cybersecurity
