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Cybersecurity in Africa Under Threat as Government and Finance Sectors Hit Hard, Report Shows
Cybersecurity in Africa Under Threat as Government and Finance Sectors Hit Hard, Report Shows
Sputnik Africa
Cyberattacks worldwide target sectors like government, finance, and healthcare, risking national security, privacy, and economies. Key threats include data... 09.11.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-11-09T12:30+0100
2024-11-09T12:30+0100
2024-11-11T14:48+0100
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Positive Technologies, a Russian cybersecurity company, has released findings showing a significant rise in cyberattacks on Africa’s government and financial sectors in 2023-2024. According to the report, organized hacker groups are increasingly targeting African institutions for financial gain and espionage, with cybercriminals exploiting the region’s vulnerabilities in infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses.The report, presented at the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi, highlighted that attacks on government institutions have surged, often led by APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) groups aiming to gather data and conduct cyberespionage. The countries most affected include Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa, with dark web listings related to government sectors often focused on the free distribution of information.In the financial sector, the motive is more commercially driven, with dark web posts showing a heavy emphasis on selling data and access to corporate networks, sometimes at prices reaching nearly $3,000.The growing digital integration in Africa, while opening doors for progress, has also created new vulnerabilities, especially in sectors like industry and telecommunications. Telecommunications alone account for 10% of cyberattacks, with criminals targeting sensitive customer data and payment information.Meanwhile, 10% of attacks targeted the industrial sector, often disrupting production and aiming to steal confidential data. The company’s analysis indicated that 65% of these attacks target network equipment and computers, taking advantage of weak infrastructure and external vulnerabilities.Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Andrey Bedran, Director of Technical Development and Promotion at Positive Technologies, said that African countries are currently paying great attention to cybersecurity precisely in terms of crime. According to him, this is due to the fact that the region is experiencing active business growth.He added that there are companies where IT technologies are well-developed: computing and network infrastructure, data storage systems, and cloud solutions. However, at the same time, these companies practically lack cybersecurity solutions.To counter these cyberthreats, Positive Technologies recommended Africa develop robust cybersecurity strategies. This includes risk analysis, identifying critical infrastructure, and regular system updates to maintain security. The report also stressed the need for collaborative efforts between the government and private sectors, alongside international partnerships to share intelligence on emerging cyberthreats.The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum takes place on November 9-10 in the federal territory of Sirius, near the city of Sochi. Earlier, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated that all African countries confirmed their participation in the event.
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Cybersecurity in Africa Under Threat as Government and Finance Sectors Hit Hard, Report Shows
12:30 09.11.2024 (Updated: 14:48 11.11.2024) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
Cyberattacks worldwide target sectors like government, finance, and healthcare, risking national security, privacy, and economies. Key threats include data theft, ransomware, critical infrastructure disruption, intellectual property theft, and DDoS attacks.
Positive Technologies, a
Russian cybersecurity company, has released findings showing a significant rise in cyberattacks on Africa’s government and financial sectors in 2023-2024. According to the report, organized hacker groups are increasingly targeting African institutions for financial gain and espionage, with cybercriminals exploiting the region’s vulnerabilities in infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses.
“The share of attacks against the government sector among all attacks on organizations in Africa is twice as much as was found in our previous research,” noted Anastasia Bezborodko, an analyst from Positive Technologies’ International Analytics Group, as cited by the report.
The report, presented at the first ministerial conference of the
Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi
, highlighted that attacks on government institutions have surged, often led by APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) groups aiming to gather data and conduct cyberespionage. The countries most affected include Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, and
South Africa, with dark web listings related to government sectors often focused on the free distribution of information.
“Cybercriminals primarily target government institutions in Nigeria (27%), Algeria (17%), Ethiopia (12%), and South Africa (12%),” Bezborodko explained.
In the financial sector, the motive is more commercially driven, with dark web posts showing a heavy emphasis on selling data and access to corporate networks, sometimes at prices reaching nearly $3,000.
The growing digital integration in Africa, while opening doors for progress, has also created new vulnerabilities, especially in sectors like industry and telecommunications. Telecommunications alone account for 10% of cyberattacks, with criminals targeting sensitive
customer data and payment information.
Meanwhile, 10% of attacks targeted the industrial sector, often disrupting production and aiming to steal confidential data. The company’s analysis indicated that 65% of these attacks target network equipment and computers, taking advantage of weak infrastructure and external vulnerabilities.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, Andrey Bedran, Director of Technical Development and Promotion at Positive Technologies, said that African countries are currently paying great attention to cybersecurity precisely in terms of crime. According to him, this is due to the fact that the region is experiencing
active business growth."Many manufacturing operations are moving to African countries, [...] energy projects are emerging, joint projects with Russia and Africa for the extraction of natural resources, including, for example, uranium and nickel, are appearing. There is the development of maritime routes, work with ports. All of this impacts the infrastructure being built from scratch, and in this infrastructure [...] cybersecurity is often forgotten," Bedran explained.
He added that there are companies where IT technologies are well-developed: computing and network infrastructure, data storage systems, and cloud solutions. However, at the same time, these companies practically lack cybersecurity solutions.
To counter these cyberthreats, Positive Technologies recommended Africa develop robust
cybersecurity strategies. This includes risk analysis, identifying critical infrastructure, and regular system updates to maintain security. The report also stressed the need for collaborative efforts between the government and private sectors, alongside international partnerships to share intelligence on emerging cyberthreats.
The Russia-Africa Partnership Forum takes place on November 9-10 in the federal territory of Sirius, near the city of Sochi. Earlier, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stated that all African countries confirmed their participation in the event.
