A Senior cybersecurity analyst at NamPost has achieved a major milestone by earning globally recognised cybersecurity certification.
Dale Gowaseb (24) is the youngest person in Namibia to receive Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium.
Speaking to Desert FM recently, Gowaseb said he has always been passionate about cybersecurity and its critical role in both organisations and in people’s livelihoods.
“There were long nights, there were lots of doubtful nights, there were times I wanted to do something a bit easier, but I stayed focused on the bigger picture.
“I reminded myself that this wasn’t just about passing an exam, it was about contributing to a safer digital environment for our country,” he said.
Gowaseb is a full-time employee and says it was challenging to find balance between work, his personal life and academics.
Obtaining this certification was a reminder that hard work, dedication, sacrifices and a good support system can make something that looks impossible possible.
“The biggest challenge I saw was finding a good study-life balance,” he said.
Gowaseb said the exam is not about memorising content only, but also understanding complex scenarios and situations, and finding both technical and business solutions.
He praised Namibia for making strides in acknowledging the importance of cybersecurity, especially as the country adopts more digital systems in government, finance and communication.
“We are, however, still at the beginning of our journey,” he said.
“I’d like to see more investment in cybersecurity education, not just for professionals but for citizens as well. Awareness is key in defences against threats like phishing and ransomware,” Gowaseb said.
He said stronger public-private partnerships need to be established to build robust infrastructure and share intelligence.
Gowaseb hopes to see more young Namibians entering the field, supported by mentorship programmes and access to resources.
He advised young Namibians to start small.
“It’s not something you just dive into. You start off in networking, or you start off in software development or different fields and you build that good foundation. Then you jump into the cyberworld,” Gowaseb said.
Looking ahead, he said his primary goal is to continue to strengthen Namibia’s cybersecurity defences by implementing innovative solutions and fostering a culture of vigilance and being risk-averse in organisations.
Gowaseb said he wants to focus on mentorships and continue contributing to policy-making efforts through initiatives like the Internet Society of Namibia.
“I want to use platforms like this to raise awareness, because cybersecurity is not just a technical issue. It’s about protecting people, their data and their futures. Together, I think we can build a more secure and more robust nation.”
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