By Charmaine Houvet, Senior Director of Government Strategy and Policy at Cisco Africa
Cisco, in collaboration with Access Partnership, the Centre for Human Rights, and the University of Pretoria, recently released a whitepaper to shine a spotlight on the unique cybersecurity challenges by the continent which require a targeted approach to scaling cybersecurity defences over the long term.
According to the report findings, Africa’s rapid internet penetration has positioned it as one of the fastest-growing regions globally. However, this growth comes with significant risks, making African nations some of the most vulnerable to cyber threats, with 75% of its countries falling into the ‘high exposure’ category.
I highlight here five key factors identified in the report that are currently slowing the continent’s progress in this area, while emphasizing on the importance of effectively tackling these issues to foster growth:
1. A Lack of Tested Security Measures
As much as emerging technologies are creating enormous potential in Africa, cyber attackers are leveraging the rapid development of technologies such as 5G, robotic process automation, and generative AI to fuel malicious activities.
The ability to harness the opportunity afforded through online and digital can be a huge boon for remote, disparate and agricultural communities and can boost economies and employment. However, people need to be aware of the risk of cybercrime.
Common vulnerabilities such as malware, social engineering, and credential compromise highlight the pressing need for innovation in security solutions, such as encryption and cryptography, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and cloud computing. AI and machine learning (ML) technologies are becoming more sophisticated, and even blockchain is employed to enhance security.
In fact, AI has been an important element across Cisco’s portfolio for over a decade, notably on security. Just in April, Cisco has launched Hypershield a revolutionary new security architecture with AI in mind. It protects applications, devices, and data across public and private datacentres , clouds, and physical locations – anywhere customers need it.
2. Digital Literacy
The report underscores a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with digital literacy gaps particularly pronounced in rural areas and among women. This challenge is further aggravated by limited training programs and resources. For instance, in 2023, Nigeria had only 8,352 cybersecurity professionals, while South Africa had 57,269, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted educational initiatives and skill-building programs to bridge this gap.
Sectors such as manufacturing and energy exhibit relatively higher percentages of proficient cyber skills, while financial services and public administration face acute demand due to regulatory scrutiny and frequent cyber-attacks.
Public and private sector collaboration is essential to closing this skills gap. Over the past 25 years, Cisco has invested more than $180 million and educated over 1.6 million students in digital and cybersecurity skills across Africa through Cisco Networking Academy – one of the world’s longest standing IT-skills-to-jobs programs.
3. Cost of Data
Keeping data protected requires access to data. However, sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s most expensive mobile data prices. In South Africa, it costs up to R85 per GB, which is equivalent to almost four hours of minimum wage. In terms of updating applications and improving security postures, the cost of data becomes almost as detrimental as cybercrime itself.
By reducing the price of data, demolition of the barriers to entry in underserved communities. Providing affordable access to the internet would be a game-changer for African economies that wish to secure vulnerabilities and will bring us close to the goal of accessibility for all.
4. Outsourced Digital Infrastructure
The reliance on outsourced digital infrastructure, often including older or less secure technologies, exacerbates these vulnerabilities. Many organisations and governments in Africa depend on external service providers for their digital infrastructure, which may not always meet the highest security standards. This dependency on third-party providers can lead to security gaps, especially if these providers are not fully integrated into the local cybersecurity ecosystem.
According Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index, just 5% of companies in South Africa have ranked at the “mature” level of readiness which is needed to be resilient against modern cybersecurity risks, down by 19% year-on-year.
To counter the challenges in today’s threat landscape, companies should assess their level of readiness and increase investment in security by adopting innovative solutions accordingly.
Cisco has been involved in modernizing network infrastructure in sectors like healthcare, education, and government services by deploying secure, scalable solutions that can handle modern cybersecurity challenges.
5. Lack of Security Professionals
Africa faces a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and limited training programmes and resources exacerbate this challenge. As of 2023, Nigeria had only 8,352 cybersecurity professionals, while South Africa recorded 57,269, compared to 482,985 in the USA.
Africa’s digital potential can’t be unleashed if the continent’s key cybersecurity challenges are not addressed. Exposure to threats will only increase and no African economy, no matter its level of development, can afford to be targeted as the ‘soft underbelly’ of global business networks by cybercriminals.
With traditional sectors facing the same level of risk as the most innovative ones, governments simply can’t wait for others to pave the way in establishing best practices for digital inclusion and cyber resilience. The continent has the potential talent, tools, and technology, but it now needs urgent and decisive action. To support this, Cisco pledged in 2022 to train up to 3 million Africans in digital and cybersecurity skills as part of its broader strategy to enhance the continent’s cyber resilience.
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