Namibia recorded a 31.3% decline in detected cyber vulnerabilities and a 47.3% drop in reported cyber threat events during the first quarter of 2026, signalling improved cyber resilience even as ransomware groups continue to target critical infrastructure.
The figures are contained in the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team’s (NAM-CSIRT) Cybersecurity Constituent Newsletter for the first quarter of 2026, released by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).
According to the report, NAM-CSIRT detected 367,670 cyber vulnerabilities and 103,085 cyber threat events between January and March 2026, with the decline attributed to stronger cybersecurity awareness, continuous monitoring, proactive threat mitigation and improved cyber hygiene across organisations.
Despite the improvement, the report warns that Namibia remains exposed to significant cyber risks, particularly through vulnerable remote management services and outdated network protocols.
Among the most common weaknesses identified were open Customer Premises Equipment WAN Management Protocol (CWMP), Network Time Protocol (NTP) version reporting, accessible Telnet services, open Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) services and exposed Domain Name System (DNS) servers.
The report also warns that increasingly sophisticated ransomware and cyber extortion groups are expanding their operations, with groups such as Prinz Eugen and XP95 targeting financial institutions, government entities and organisations that store large volumes of sensitive data.
NAM-CSIRT said the first quarter also highlighted the growing cybersecurity risks facing Namibia’s critical infrastructure following the cyberattack on Namibia Airports Company (NAC).
The attack allegedly involved the unauthorised access to internal systems and the theft of approximately 500GB of data by the INC Ransomware Group. Although airport operations, safety and security were not disrupted, the incident exposed the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting strategic national institutions.
To strengthen the country’s cyber resilience, NAM-CSIRT hosted a four-day Domain Name System (DNS) Resilience Training in Windhoek during February, bringing together cybersecurity professionals from nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
The programme, facilitated by the Cybersecurity Capacity Centre for Southern Africa (C3SA), focused on strengthening DNS security, resilience and regional cooperation.
CRAN Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations, Mufaro Nesongano, said the latest figures demonstrate that investments in cybersecurity are beginning to yield results but warned that organisations cannot afford to become complacent.
“The significant reduction in both cyber vulnerabilities and threat events is encouraging and demonstrates the value of continuous awareness, collaboration, and proactive cybersecurity measures. However, the evolving threat landscape and incidents targeting critical infrastructure remind us that cybersecurity remains a shared responsibility. As Namibia advances its digital transformation agenda, it is essential that organisations continue to strengthen their cyber defences, invest in resilience, and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness,” Nesongano said.
He added that collaboration remains critical in combating increasingly complex cyber threats, stressing that no single organisation can effectively respond to modern cyber risks in isolation.
NAM-CSIRT said it will continue to provide threat intelligence, coordinate incident response, expand cybersecurity awareness programmes and build technical capacity as Namibia accelerates its digital transformation.
