As the world becomes increasingly digital, the threat of cyber attacks is on the rise. Every country must have robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect its citizens and critical infrastructure. However, according to the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) report, African countries are lagging behind other regions in terms of their cybersecurity readiness. The challenges of limited resources, lack of awareness, and inadequate legislation, coupled with the increasing sophistication of cyber attacks, raise concerns about Africa’s ability to withstand an imminent global cyber attack.
According to the Check Point Research report, African countries experienced an average of 1,848 cyberattacks per week in 2022, which was more than the rest of the world combined.
Nigeria remains an origination point and a primary target for most cyberattacks for obvious reasons, followed by South Africa and Kenya. According to reports, Africa loses an estimated $4 billion annually due to cybercrime, and this figure is expected to rise as more people and devices connect to the internet.
Last year, a Singapore-based cyber security firm revealed in a report that 12 African countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda) lost millions of dollars to a hacking group based in an unknown French-speaking African country. The attackers launched over 30 successful attacks against banks, financial services providers, and telecommunication companies between 2018 and 2022, stealing $11 million in the process, with total damages ranging from $30 million to $50 million.
According to the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2023, published by the World Economic Forum and Accenture, 86% of business leaders and 93% of cyber leaders believe that global geopolitical instability is likely to lead to a catastrophic cyber event in the next two years. Such an event could disrupt critical services, compromise sensitive data and cause widespread damage to public trust and confidence.
Africa is not immune to these risks. In fact, with all the attention we are receiving from world superpowers, we are a prime target for cybercriminals, state-sponsored actors and hacktivists who seek to exploit its weak cyber defenses, low awareness and limited resources.
There are several challenges we face as a continent that make us more susceptible to cyber attacks. These include:
- A lack of harmonized legal and regulatory frameworks for cybersecurity across the continent, creating gaps and inconsistencies that hinder cooperation and enforcement.
- A shortage of skilled cyber professionals who can design, implement and maintain effective security measures and respond to incidents.
- A low level of cyber resilience among businesses and organizations, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that lack the capacity and resources to protect themselves from cyber threats.
- A high dependence on foreign technology and services that may not be secure or reliable, exposing Africa to supply chain risks and potential backdoors.
- A low level of public awareness and education on cybersecurity issues, leading to poor cyber hygiene and risky online behaviors.
These challenges require urgent action from all stakeholders, including governments, private sector, civil society and international partners if we are to be ready for the project global cyber attack. The African Union Cybersecurity Experts need to work with member countries and the private sector to draw up and implement solutions that will help to reduce our susceptibility to cyber-attacks. These solutions can include:
- Developing and implementing comprehensive national cybersecurity strategies that align with regional and global frameworks and standards.
- Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, innovation and education to build local capabilities and foster a culture of security.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships and cross-border collaboration to share best practices, intelligence and resources.
- Enhancing cyber resilience among businesses and organizations by adopting risk-based approaches, conducting regular assessments and audits, and implementing incident response plans.
- Raising public awareness and engagement on cybersecurity issues through campaigns, training and advocacy.
Africa has a unique opportunity to leverage its digital transformation for inclusive growth and development. However, this opportunity comes with a responsibility to ensure that its digital assets are secure and resilient. By addressing its cybersecurity challenges, Africa can not only protect itself from a global cyber attack, but also enhance its competitiveness, trustworthiness and attractiveness as a digital destination.
By Kwame Owusu Ansah
The writer is a Tech Writer and Founder of Techstripped Africa