A  NEW  DAWN   FOR   PAN-AFRICAN CYBER  SECURITY

 CyberSOC Africa , a pioneering cyber security firm, has settled on Kenya as the launch pad for its pan-African cyber security expansion. This strategic move seeks to empower Kenyan organizations to thrive within a secure digital environment, making significant strides toward realizing the country’s ambitious digital transformation goals and e-commerce.  The Kenyan office will strengthen regional governments and the private sector’s capacity to respond to cyber threats as more services and transactions move online. 

 It will also serve as the East African headquarters and will be dedicated to promoting cyber security awareness and education, besides  providing resources and tools to keep government agencies, businesses, and organizations safe from cyber-attacks. “We are excited to open this new cyber security office and to continue our work to keep the African continent safe online,” said CyberSOC Chairman Nir Kunik. “As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is more important than ever that we work together to stay cyber-safe. This new office will be a key part of our efforts to promote cyber security awareness and education and to provide the resources and tools needed to continue transacting online.”

CyberSOC  provides threat detection and response, threat intelligence, security awareness training and compliance assistance. This   helps   businesses achieve compliance with relevant and up-to-date cyber security regulations and standards. “The imperatives of addressing rising cyber threats, risks  and exploits, compounded by a global shortage of cyber security experts, underscored the pressing need for a tailored cyber security solution in the African market,”  said Brian Mang’oli , regional sales manager East Africa. 

“The biggest cyber threats in Africa include :  digital extortion, ransomware, online scams such as phishing  and business email compromise. The lack of cyber security standards exposes online services to major risks,” said  Shai  Nuni, chief executive  officer,  CyberSOC Africa.   He added that as   African countries move to incorporate digital infrastructure into all aspects of society – including government, business and banking, it is vital to promote a strong cyber security framework. The Kenyan office will also serve Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia by bolstering local cyber security capabilities.

Digital economy

 By  and  large,  the   information and communication technology (ICT) sector  is   a fundamental contributor and enabler in the realization of Vision 2030, transforming Kenya into a digital economy. “We recognize the notable achievements made in the digital transformation landscape. However, Kenya faces escalating cyber security challenges and risks that jeopardize national security and our digital transformation agenda. The heightened digital connectedness renders Kenya more susceptible to cyber-criminal activities globally,” said Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary State Department for Information and Digital Economy. Eng. Tanui was represented by  the  State Department for Information and Digital Economy assistant director,  Juma Modie.  The expanded digitalization programmes, coupled with investments in digital and data infrastructure, present new challenges in Kenya. It is therefore   imperative  for   the  country  to   renew  its   efforts  in   enhancing   its   capacity and capability,  hence   supporting   the growth of the digital economy.