The national cybersecurity team has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs was hit by a cyberattack linked to the international ransomware group RansomHouse.
The confirmation comes after The Namibian reported on the hack on Friday.
RansomHouse recently listed the ministry as one of its alleged victims and threatened to release information it claims to have obtained from the ministry.
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (Nam-CSIRT) on Friday said it found unauthorised activity on the ministry’s computer network.
Nam-CSIRT said an analysis of the affected systems linked the attack to RansomHouse, a cybercriminal group known for ransomware and “double-extortion” attacks.
In such attacks, hackers can lock computer systems while threatening to release information they claim to have stolen.
Nam-CSIRT said it is working with the ministry to investigate the attack, provide technical support and restore affected systems. It is also reviewing the incident and working to strengthen the ministry’s cybersecurity.
Nam-CSIRT head Emilia Nghikembua says the incident shows that organisations remain exposed to changing cyberthreats.
“Cybersecurity incidents of this nature serve as a reminder that no organisation, regardless of size or mandate, is immune to the evolving threat landscape,” she says.
Nghikembua says Nam-CSIRT will continue supporting the defence ministry and other affected parties as the investigation and recovery process continues.
She urges government institutions, operators of critical infrastructure and private companies to strengthen their cybersecurity measures.
Nam-CSIRT also urged organisations to quickly report major cyber incidents to help coordinate responses and protect critical systems.
“The collective security of Namibia’s digital ecosystem depends on timely reporting, proactive information sharing, and continuous investment in cybersecurity preparedness.
“We urge all organisations to strengthen their cyber defences and work closely with Nam-CSIRT to safeguard critical systems, data, and services that citizens depend upon every day,” Nghikembua says.
