February 23, 2024 at 11:17AM
The Malawi government has suspended passport issuance for two weeks due to a ransomware attack on the immigration service’s computer network. President Chakwera refuses to negotiate with the hackers and plans to find a temporary and long-term solution for the issue. The attack’s details and the responsible party remain undisclosed.
Key takeaways from the meeting notes:
1. The Malawi government has temporarily suspended issuing passports due to a ransomware attack on the immigration service’s computer network.
2. President Lazarus Chakwera stated that the hackers are demanding a ransom, but the government has refused to pay, citing a stance of not negotiating with attackers or criminals.
3. No information has been provided about the perpetrators of the attack or whether any data was stolen.
4. There is a three-week deadline for the immigration department to find a temporary solution to resume issuing passports, and the government plans to implement long-term security measures to safeguard the system.
5. Demand for passports is high due to citizens migrating for employment opportunities, making the suspension particularly impactful.