Case Study:
The last two decades have witnessed increased technology adoption in Africa. According to
Forbes, there are more than 600 million total internet users in Africa. Analysis by the IFC and
Google finds that Africa's internet economy has the potential to reach US$180bn by 2025,
accounting for 5.2% of the continent's GDP. By 2050, the projected potential contribution could
reach US$712bn, 8.5% of the continent's GDP. But the rise of the internet also has a dark side,
with the growing risk of private citizens, businesses, and governments falling victim to cybercrime.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has identified cybercrime and emerging technologies as
growing threats to South Africa's banking sector. In its report, the reserve bank said threats
including internet and mobile banking platforms, may be exploited to facilitate money-laundering
and fund terrorism. South Africa is ranked among the top ten countries in the world in terms of
cybercrime. The country is also ranked seventh out of sixteen countries polled for the highest cost
of a cyber breach. The report notes over 90% of the banking sector offers online banking services,
and mobile application banking, except for one mutual bank.
"Although online banking offers faster transactions and more convenient options for banking,
these features are also attractive to criminals. Online features can hide the true identity of clients
(which in-branch visits would have detected), and these features can also hide the true
destination and beneficiaries of funds," says the SARB report. Southern African Fraud Prevention
Service (SAFPS) CEO, Manie van Schalkwyk says consumers must try by all means to make sure
that their data is always secured. According to SABC News, Phishing remains one of the most
prevalent scam techniques. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) estimates
that SA businesses suffer a total of about R250 million in losses each year due to phishing attacks
and internet fraud.
However, according to an article by African Business published on August 8, 2022, Kaspersky, a
Russian firm that provides anti-virus software, in their analysis revealed that attacks related to
data loss threats including phishing, scams, and social engineering increased significantly in Africa
in Q2 2022 in comparison with the previous quarter.
The company detected 10,722,886 phishing attacks in Africa in Q2. Kenyan users were influenced
the most by this type of threat: there were 5,098,534 phishing attacks detected in 3 months - a
growth of 438% when compared with the previous quarter. Kenya was followed by South Africa
(4,578,216 detections and a growth of 144%) and Nigeria (1,046,136 detections and a growth of
174%).
The Guardian in an article published August 3, 2022, reported Kaspersky saying social engineering,
"human hacking" scams, are used in many ways, and for different purposes, to lure unwary users
to the site and trick them into entering personal information. It stressed that the latter often
includes financial credentials such as bank account passwords or payment card details, or login
details for social media accounts.
According to the security firm, phishing is a strong attack method because it is done on a large
scale. It stressed that by sending massive waves of emails under the name of legitimate
institutions or promoting fake pages, malicious users increase their chances of success in their
hunt for innocent people's credentials. The article explained that phishers deploy a variety of
tricks to bypass email blocking and lure as many users as possible to their fraudulent sites, adding
that a common technique is HTML attachments with partially or fully obfuscated code. It stressed
that HTML files allow attackers to use scripts, and obfuscate malicious content to make it harder
to detect and send phishing pages as attachments instead of links.
According to a recent Interpol report, about 90% of African businesses are operating without the
necessary cybersecurity protocols and, therefore, are exposed to cyberattacks. The report also
noted that there were more than 700 million threat detections in Africa within one year. Over the
years, there have been efforts from different African countries to address the cybersecurity
challenge. According to an article by Forbes published on August 2, 2022, in South Africa,
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Act in 2021. This law
mandates electronic communication service providers and financial institutions to act when their
systems suffer a cybersecurity attack or breach. South Africa had previously signed the Protection
of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013 Act into law.
At the continental level, the African Union (AU) adopted the Convention on Cyber Security and
Personal Data Protection, also known as the Malabo Convention, in 2014. This was followed by
the release of the Personal Data Protection Guidelines for Africa, a collaborative measure
between the Internet Society and the AU, in 2018. According to the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD), out of the 54 countries in Africa, only 33 (61%) have a data
protection law in place. Meanwhile, Business Tech in an article dated July 8, 2022, said the
Department of Police gazetted its draft search and seizure rules for cybercrimes committed in
South Africa. The Gazette, which is currently open for public comment, falls under the
Cybercrimes Act which was partly introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the end of 2021.
"The Cybercrimes Act provides a new legal mechanism for addressing cybercrime in South Africa,
as well as creating a range of new cybercrime offences," the department said. "It also provides for
mechanisms to preserve electronic evidence in the cyber domain, to conduct the search, access,
and seizure operations in respect of an article as defined in the CCA, and the gathering of data
connected to both cyber and other crimes that are committed by means of or facilitated through
the use of an article." The draft rules also noted that an individual's right to privacy, as well as
other fundamental rights, must always be respected, and any infringement of these rights may
only be justified in terms of the law. "The right to a fair trial is paramount, and the responsibility
of the investigation and prosecution team in terms of gathering, preserving, and presenting
evidence to a court fairly and objectively, remain of utmost importance." Without serious
cybersecurity efforts, opportunistic criminals around the world stand poised to reap the benefits
of Africa's internet growth story.
Some applications and platforms require special security considerations. Discuss how
African businesses can manage and secure their network platforms.
The answer discusses the options for managing and securing network platforms and applies to the case study.
African businesses can manage and secure their network platforms by implementing the following measures:
1. Implement strong access controls: Businesses should enforce strong password requirements, implement two-factor authentication, and regularly update user credentials to prevent unauthorized access to network platforms.
2. Conduct regular security assessments: Regularly assess the security of network platforms through vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. Identify and address any vulnerabilities or weaknesses to prevent potential cyber attacks.
3. Use encryption technology: Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access. This includes encrypting data stored on servers and using secure protocols such as SSL/TLS for communication.
4. Regularly update and patch software: Keep network platforms and software applications up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates. These updates often include security fixes for known vulnerabilities.
5. Implement strong firewalls and intrusion detection systems: Set up firewalls to monitor and filter network traffic to restrict access to authorized users. Deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to detect and prevent suspicious network activities and attacks.
6. Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices: Train employees on cybersecurity awareness, including identifying and avoiding phishing attacks, using strong passwords, and following proper data handling and disposal procedures. Regularly update employees on the latest cybersecurity threats and provide ongoing training to ensure they are informed and vigilant.
7. Backup and disaster recovery plans: Regularly backup critical data to protect against data loss due to cyber attacks or system failures. Implement a disaster recovery plan that includes regular data backups, offsite storage, and procedures for restoring network platforms in case of an incident.
8. Monitor network activity: Implement network monitoring tools to detect and respond to suspicious or malicious activities in real-time. This includes monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, unusual data transfers, and anomalies in network traffic.
9. Engage cybersecurity experts: Consider partnering with cybersecurity experts or managed security service providers (MSSPs) who can provide specialized expertise, tools, and resources to monitor and secure network platforms effectively.
10. Stay updated on cybersecurity trends: Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and trends by attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, and following cybersecurity news sources. This will help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats and adopt proactive measures to secure their network platforms.
By implementing these measures, African businesses can effectively manage and secure their network platforms, reducing the risk of cyber attacks and protecting sensitive data. It is crucial for businesses to be proactive and prioritize cybersecurity to ensure the continued growth and success of their operations in the digital age.
African businesses can manage and secure their network platforms by implementing several key strategies and practices:
1. Develop a Comprehensive Security Strategy: Businesses should create a robust security strategy that outlines their goals, objectives, and the specific measures they will take to secure their network platforms. This strategy should address areas such as network infrastructure, data protection, access controls, threat detection, incident response, and employee training.
2. Implement Strong Access Controls: Controlling access to network platforms is critical in preventing unauthorized users from gaining access to sensitive data and systems. Businesses should enforce strong password policies, implement multi-factor authentication, and regularly review and update access permissions to limit privileges only to those who need them.
3. Utilize Secure Network Infrastructure: Implementing secure network infrastructure is essential for protecting network platforms. This can include using firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, virtual private networks (VPNs), and encryption technologies to ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
4. Regularly Update and Patch Systems: Keeping network platforms up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates is crucial in mitigating vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber threats. Businesses should have a formal process in place to regularly monitor for updates and apply them promptly.
5. Employ Robust Endpoint Security: Endpoint devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, can be entry points for cyberattacks. African businesses should deploy comprehensive endpoint security solutions that include antivirus software, anti-malware protection, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify and mitigate threats.
6. Conduct Regular Security Assessments: Regular security assessments, such as vulnerability assessments and penetration testing, can help identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities in network platforms. By conducting these assessments, businesses can proactively address security gaps and strengthen their defenses.
7. Educate and Train Employees: Employee education and training are crucial in improving overall cybersecurity posture. African businesses should provide regular training sessions to raise awareness about common cyber threats, safe internet practices, and how to recognize and respond to phishing attempts and social engineering attacks.
8. Implement Data Backup and Recovery Measures: Regularly backing up critical data and having a robust data recovery plan in place is essential in mitigating the impact of potential cyber incidents such as data breaches or ransomware attacks. Businesses should store backups in separate, secure locations to ensure availability in case of a security incident.
9. Stay Informed about Emerging Threats: The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and it's important for African businesses to stay updated on the latest threats and trends. Subscribing to industry newsletters, participating in cybersecurity forums, and engaging with security vendors can provide valuable insights and guidance in managing and securing network platforms.
By implementing these measures, African businesses can enhance the security of their network platforms and mitigate the risk of cyberattacks. It's important to note that cybersecurity should be a continuous effort, requiring ongoing monitoring, assessment, and adaptation to ensure the effectiveness of security measures.
In order for African businesses to manage and secure their network platforms, there are several key considerations and practices they can implement. These include:
1. Implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy: African businesses should develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes risk assessments, threat mitigation plans, incident response procedures, and employee training. This strategy should be regularly reviewed and updated to address emerging threats and technologies.
2. Utilizing strong authentication methods: Implementing strong authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or biometric authentication, can significantly enhance the security of network platforms. This ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data and systems.
3. Regularly updating and patching systems: Keeping network platforms and software up to date with the latest security patches is crucial to protect against known vulnerabilities. African businesses should establish a regular patch management process to ensure that all systems are up to date and protected against potential threats.
4. Encrypting sensitive data: African businesses should implement data encryption mechanisms to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Encryption helps to ensure that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
5. Implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems: Network monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious activities and potential security breaches in real-time. African businesses should deploy such systems to proactively detect and respond to any security incidents.
6. Conducting regular security audits and assessments: Regular security audits and assessments help identify any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in network platforms. African businesses should conduct these assessments to identify gaps in their security measures and implement appropriate controls.
7. Providing employee awareness and training: Employees should be educated about cybersecurity best practices and potential threats. Training programs can help raise awareness about the importance of secure practices, such as password hygiene, phishing awareness, and safe internet usage.
8. Implementing a backup and disaster recovery plan: African businesses should establish a robust backup and disaster recovery plan to ensure that critical data and systems can be restored in the event of a breach or system failure. Regular testing and updating of these plans is essential to maintain their effectiveness.
9. Partnering with trusted cybersecurity providers: African businesses can consider partnering with trusted cybersecurity providers to access specialized expertise and tools. These providers can offer services such as network monitoring, threat intelligence, incident response support, and cybersecurity consulting.
By implementing these security measures and practices, African businesses can better manage and secure their network platforms, reducing the risk of cyberattacks and their potential impact on operations and data.