ISOC Lesotho Chapter Celebrates Encryption Day
Global Encryption Day is observed annually on October 21. It’s an initiative to celebrate and advocate for strong encryption. Strong encryption is essential for protecting privacy, securing communications, and defending against cyberthreats. Internet Society (ISOC) Lesotho Chapter published a video explaining the importance of strong encryption in day to day life. In addition to that, we conducted an enrichment workshop for the Leribe District Child Protection Team (DCPT).
On October 17, 2025, the ISOC Lesotho Chapter was delighted to join members of the Leribe DCPT to observe International Encryption Day. The event was in the form of a workshop, which we conducted as part of our digital literacy promotion and it took place at Help Lesotho in Hlotse, Leribe. This workshop was an important milestone in our quest to realise the Internet Society’s motto that “the internet is for everyone”. This motto and strong encryption are deeply connected. Strong encryption is one of the key requirements for the Internet to be truly for everyone. The “internet is for everyone” only stays true when everyone, not just the wealthy or the powerful, can speak, organize, learn, shop and love privately and securely.
For the DCPT Leribe, who are on the front lines of crime intervention for vulnerable members of the community (youth and the elderly), the benefits of encryption are transformative and absolutely crucial:
Safeguards sensitive records (e.g., case files, victim identities) from unauthorized access and breaches, maintaining the integrity of their work.
Ensures confidentiality in online communication and data storage, which is vital when dealing with vulnerable populations.
Helps the DCPT adhere to ethical and legal standards for handling protected personal and organizational data.
By using encryption, the DCPT ensures that the privacy and security of the individuals they serve are never compromised, bolstering their ability to intervene effectively and build community trust.
The workshop focused on the importance of protecting privacy and confidentiality of information in the digital real. Child Protection Teams in Lesotho handle sensitive information that requires high levels of protection. It was this realization that let the Leribe DCPT to invite us to an enrichment session mark the encryption day with them. An essential session reminded us all that data is central to our modern communication channels and professional encounters. While Basotho are actively engaging with global communication applications and the internet, the need for robust security features remains critical.
The ultimate goal of this workshop was to empower DCPT members as end-users and make them advocates for online security. They are now equipped with the knowledge to:
- Advocate for maintaining online security within their communities.
- Advise parents, local students, youth, and leaders, including chiefs, school principals, and councilors in Leribe, on better practices for data protection and encryption tools.
- Encourage the youth to register for short courses on data encryption, developing skills that can assist their communities.
As ISOC Lesotho Chapter, we are proud to have facilitated this eye-opening moment, furthering the understanding and analysis of encryption protocols. We believe this knowledge transfer will have a profound and lasting impact on enhancing digital security across Leribe and beyond.
As ISOC Lesotho, we are committed to continued digital literacy efforts. Would you be interested in information about future workshops we are hosting? Reach contact us