The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) has released draft website application protection guidance for stakeholder feedback, with the alert that non-compliance could result in a website’s removal.

According to BOCRA, the recommendations are in order to assist enterprises in creating a checklist of steps to ensuring their websites are not exploited, and that both software engineers and hosting providers are aware of the risks and potential remedies for vulnerable website applications.

The Authority expects developers to use strict password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), cryptography, and correct key protection and standard algorithms.

Additionally, web application developers must have appropriate log-in and surveillance for unusual activity or security accidents. All permissions are checked, settings are updated, and fixes and enhancements are installed by the musty.

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The recommendations include ensuring successful app creation, constant patching of found bugs, using up-to-date cryptography, and requiring adequate authentication, according to Tshoganetso Kepaletswe, Chief Technology Officer at BOCRA.

The security standards, according to Kepaletswe, should be applied in the website layout design as well as the finished products of web applications.

The rules, she said, would extend to all companies or registrars hosting.bw domains, as well as registrants who own the websites, until they are authorised. “Any website that does not follow these rules risks being shut down.”

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer

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