Tag: Cyber security

Kenya to monitor cyber security threats directed at bloggers

The Kenyan government has established a dedicated unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to monitor threats directed towards Kenyan bloggers.

Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Interior, told senators that the country’s police are investigating reports of cyberbullying and physical assaults against people who voiced opinions different from the government’s. “Bloggers exercising their freedom of speech through cyberspace” are the intended beneficiaries of the government’s action.

Read also: Africa Cyber Fest 2024 to address resilience of cybersecurity

Ongoing investigation on cyber security threats

Several cases involving gangs are currently under investigation by DCI detectives in 19 counties, according to the CS. During his address to the Kenyan Senate, Kindiki discussed the assassination of Daniel Muthiani Bernard, better known as Sniper, a blogger based in Meru.

December 2, 2023, was the date of Sniper’s abduction. Nearby Tharaka Nithi county, on the banks of the Mutonga River, his corpse was discovered two weeks later, on December 16th. On December 22, Dr Johansen Oduor, a government pathologist, conducted a postmortem and found that Muthiani had been tortured to death.

The death of Muthiani was allegedly connected to his alleged criticism of Kawira Mwangaza, the governor of Meru. Tabitha Mutinda, a senator-in-waiting, questioned the CS on the same matter, saying that the killer had a clear goal in mind: to silence those who criticised Governor Kawira.

Kindiki said that even though the case is complex, they have a “water-tight” procedure in place and that everyone responsible will face the consequences of their actions. Despite his admission that this is a complex crime involving more than five persons, he said that authorities have not yet found sufficient direct or circumstantial evidence to press further charges against anybody else.

Among the five individuals apprehended and brought before the court is an associate of Governor Mwangaza, Mr Murangiri Kenneth Guantai. Along with them are Vincent Muriithi, Chris (Christus Manyara Kiambi), Brian Mwenda (Brayo), and Dj Kaboom (Bonface Kithinji Njiiyia).

The case is scheduled to resume on May 24th this year and was last mentioned on April 23rd. While the family awaits the course of justice, the blogger has not been laid to rest.

Read also: Why CBN’s Cybersecurity levy on electronic transfers is crucial

The work Kenya still needs to do

Not long ago, nations all over the globe celebrated World Press Freedom Day. With a score of 53.22, Kenya currently occupies the 102nd spot out of 180 nations. While this is an improvement over 2023’s score of 51.15, press freedom remains a concern in the nation.

The senseless killings of Peris Mugera and the Meru-based “Sniper” highlight the grave dangers faced by bloggers who voice differing opinions, particularly on political matters.

The government appears to be making a new effort to safeguard the Fourth Estate. The new special unit will target members of criminal gangs who threaten or physically harm individuals for voicing differing viewpoints online. According to the CS, investigators are looking into multiple cases across 19 counties.

May 9, 2024
Lagos sets up Cyber Security Advisory Board

In a proactive move to safeguard its systems, assets, and data from cyber threats, the Lagos State Government has established a Cybersecurity Advisory Board.

This board has been entrusted with the crucial task of spearheading the design, implementation, and management of a robust Cybersecurity initiative within the state.

As articulated by Gbenga Omotoso, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State has taken a pioneering step by forming this forward-thinking and strategic board, positioning itself as a trailblazer in technology, innovation, and governance.

Read also: Africa Cloud And Security Summit, Nigeria to discuss cyber threats in Africa

The distinguished members of the board include notable experts such as Dr Osakwe Fene, an Amazon bestselling author and recipient of the prestigious 2023 Global Cyber Educator of the Year Award in the United Kingdom, Mr Taiye Lambo, the inaugural Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Atlanta, and Dr Bharat Soni, the Chief Information Security Officer at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Additionally, the board features professionals like Chineye Chizea, a security architect involved in the World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, Ben Oguntala, a former Cyber Security Project Manager at NFU Mutual Insurance UK, Dr. Obadare Adewale, Co-Founder of Digital Encode, and Mr. Tunbosun Alake, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology.
Furthermore, the board comprises representatives from key entities such as the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Justice, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), and the police department.

The primary objective of the Cybersecurity Advisory Board is to provide strategic recommendations to the government on policy development, program planning, refinement, and training initiatives related to Cybersecurity efforts. This board is a diverse and inclusive group, encompassing cybersecurity industry leaders, public sector experts, ICT professionals, law enforcement officials, educators, and media representatives.

Read also: Zambia arrests 22 Chinese men, others for Internet fraud

As Lagos State transitions towards a digitally interconnected future, the imperative for a comprehensive cyber-security framework and strategy cannot be overstated. The increasing global connectivity and utilization of cloud services for storing sensitive data necessitate a proactive approach to mitigate both inherent and residual risks.
Aligned with its THEMES Plus Agenda and Smart City program, Lagos State is embarking on projects that will shape a more interconnected future.

The data generated from these initiatives are invaluable assets that demand robust digital protection measures.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the board members, emphasizing that the establishment of this advisory body will not only reinforce Lagos as a technology hub in Africa but also as a secure cyber-tech hub, instilling confidence in investors regarding the state’s commitment to cybersecurity.

April 29, 2024
CryptoRom fraudsters use AI to defraud iPhone, Android users

Sophos, a cybersecurity company, found out that CryptoRom scammers are getting better at what they do by adding AI chat tools like ChatGPT to their collection of tools to scam iPhone and Android users.

Sophos’s latest report, “Sha Zhu Pan Scam Uses AI Chat Tool to Target iPhone and Android Users,” says that the crooks are also telling victims that their cryptocurrency accounts have been hacked and that they need to pay more money up front.

According to the report, Sophos X-Ops has found that since May, scammers have been able to sneak seven new fake cryptocurrency investing apps into the official Apple App and Google Play stores. This means that the number of people who could be scammed has gone up.

It said that in 2022, investment fraud caused the most money loss of any scam reported to the US FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Centre (IC3) by the public. In the US alone, US$3.31 billion was lost because of investment fraud.

Most of these scams involved cryptocurrency, like pig butchering, and recorded losses went up 183% from 2021 to last year, to US$2.57 billion.

Read also: Fraudsters reveal alarming Cyber Security flaws in Nigerian banks

OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a tool in CryptoRom

Sean Gallagher, a principal threat researcher at Sophos, commented on the company’s findings:

Since OpenAI announced that ChatGPT would be released, there has been a lot of worry that hackers might use it to do bad things. We can now say for sure that this is happening, at least when it comes to pig-killing scams.

“One of the hardest things for con artists to do with CryptoRom schemes is to have believable, ongoing romantic conversations with their targets. These chats are usually written by “keyboarders,” who are mostly from Asia and have trouble communicating in English.

“Using ChatGPT can make scams less laborious and more authentic by keeping these conversations going. It also lets keyboarders interact with several victims simultaneously.”

Phishing attacks skyrocket in Africa – Kaspersky Lab

Sophos X-Ops discovered a new scam.

Traditionally, when victims of CryptoRom scams attempt to cash in on their “profits,” fraudsters may inform them about a 20% tax requirement on their funds before completing any withdrawals. However, it’s important to stay positive and be cautious in such situations.

“However, a recent victim shared that despite initially paying the “tax” to withdraw money, the fraudsters assured them that the funds had been “hacked” and they would soon receive the funds after making an additional 20% deposit,” he said.

After additional examination, Sophos X-Ops uncovered seven phoney cryptocurrency investment apps in the official Google Play and Apple App stores.

August 11, 2023
Google announces funding for Cyber Security training in Africa

In recent years, the lack of cyber security experts in Africa has negatively impacted the continent as the digital technology world expands.

Even the majority of learners who are ready to learn lack willpower due to inadequate resources and well-versed expertise in the field.

The report also has it that Stopping hacking in Africa alone could save $4 billion a year.

According to the Digital Sprinters study, Africa stands to benefit from rapid economic growth through digital transformation by concentrating on, among other things, citizen skill development.

To help fill the need for cybersecurity expertise in Sub-Saharan Africa, Google has announced the launch of a Cybersecurity Certificate on Coursera. The course will aid digital transformation and economic development by providing students with in-demand technological skills and a total of 2,000 scholarships.

Cybersecurity expertise is in high demand across all industries. From just over 1 million in 2013, there are now an estimated 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings across the world.

As the globe grows more interconnected, cybersecurity dangers are on the increase, yet combating cybercrime in Africa can save $4 billion yearly. According to a recent poll, two-thirds of businesses have had trouble finding and maintaining experienced cyber specialists due to a lack of well-versed cybersecurity experts.

Google is dedicated to bolstering Africa’s cybersecurity by imparting our knowledge and facilitating more people’s entry into the field.

Read also: Mastercard partners with Ghana Cyber Security Authority to fight fraud

2,000 scholarships will be awarded to help learners

For this reason, Google is excited to announce the launch of a new online Google Career Certificate in Sub-Saharan Africa on Coursera, which will help learners become ready for rewarding professions in the rapidly expanding subject of cybersecurity. By offering a new qualification in this in-demand technology area, this programme affords Africans a chance to improve their employment prospects.

Earning a degree in cybersecurity will provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to spot and counteract typical security flaws and attacks. They will also gain experience with technologies like Python, Linux, SQL, and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).

Together with our distribution partners, ICT Authority in Kenya, The Roothub in Nigeria, and RLabs in South Africa, we will award 2,000 scholarships to help learners afford the Cybersecurity certificate and get the support they need to succeed in their educational endeavours.

This certification is in addition to the current certifications provided in a variety of fields, such as Data Analytics, Digital Marketing & E-commerce, IT Support, Project Management, and User Experience Design. In addition to Google’s fundamental Data Analytics Certificate, it now has released two more advanced credentials in Advanced Data Analytics and Business Intelligence.

South African +OneX acquires cybersecurity firm, MMC

Google Career Certificates programme aids 80% participants in Sub-Saharan Africa

Individuals who are interested in furthering their education but lack the time or resources to attend a regular university might benefit from these low-cost programmes that allow them to study online at their own pace. They could be completed in under a year; neither prior experience nor a degree is necessary. The certifications are not specific to any one organisation or industry, and they may be used by anybody to better prepare for a job search.

More than 20,000 individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa have completed the Google Career Certificates programme, with 80% of them reporting a positive career effect within six months after finishing the programme, such as a new job, increased income, or a promotion.

In the last year, we have released Interview Warmup, an AI-powered application that assists job-seekers in preparing for interviews in the technological sectors. We’re ecstatic to show you how the Career Certificates programme has helped Aima, Judith, and Zizipho, three recent college grads from Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

The organization hopes that this new credential, alongside its current initiatives, will assist Africa’s job seekers in tackling local challenges and gaining access to global possibilities by bridging.

June 14, 2023
2023 Elections: NCC reassures Nigerians of cyber-security

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians of safe and secure cyberspace before, during, and after the 2023 General Elections.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who made the assurance in a statement, noted that it is the responsibility of the commission to ensure adequate protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace to a level that citizens will have confidence in digital services.

“As part of its mandate, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is expected to ensure adequate protection of Nigeria’s cyberspace.

“This mandate aligns with the goals and objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).” Pantami said.

Read also: INEC refrains negligent employees from the March elections

How cyberspace will be protected

The minister hinted that on 24th February 2023, he inaugurated the Ministerial Standing Committee on Advisory Role for the Protection of Nigerian Cyberspace and ICT Infrastructure.

The Committee, chaired by the Board Chairman of NCC and with the CEOs of NCC, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) and GBB (Galaxy Backbone) as members, was charged with the responsibilities of Monitoring Telecommunication Infrastructure for the successful conduct of credible, free, fair, and transparent elections.

Others are: Developing and implementing plans to enhance the resilience of critical digital infrastructure against cyber threats; Designing procedures and using technologies to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks, as well as developing the ability to recover from any damage that is done quickly; Developing a comprehensive risk assessment, analyzing the nation’s current cybersecurity capabilities, and identifying gaps that need to be addressed; and Providing professional advice to the Government on the effective utilization of digital technologies in the conduct of the 2023 General Elections.

The minister said that during the presidential election period, a series of hacking attempts were recorded, including Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), email and IPS attacks, SSH Login Attempts, Brute force Injection attempts, Path Traversal, Detection Evasion, and Forceful Browsing.

According to him, a total of 12,988,978 attacks were recorded, originating from both within and outside Nigeria, noting that the Centers successfully blocked these attacks and/or escalating them to the relevant institutions for appropriate action.

The communication minister further stated that parastatals under the communication ministry also had before now, created various cybersecurity centres to ensure effective monitoring and security.

“In line with this mandate and in our efforts at supporting the initiatives of securing the Nigerian cyberspace, the parastatals under the supervision of the Ministry have established Cybersecurity Centers, namely, the National Information Technology (NITDA)’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), and Galaxy Backbone (GBB)’s Security Operations Centre (SOC).

“These Centers were established between 2020 and 2022 in line with the Honourable Minister’s policy directives and had been monitoring Nigerian cyberspace for potential threats and taking appropriate actions to mitigate them, both individually and collectively as well as in collaboration with other stakeholders.” The minister said.

He also noted that in the run-up to the 2023 General Elections, threat intelligence revealed an astronomical increase in cyber threats to Nigerian cyberspace. According to him, threats to public websites and portals averaged around 1,550,000 daily, but this skyrocketed to 6,997,277 on Presidential Election Day.

INEC deploys new technologies in the 2023 elections

Commending the parastatals

“The parastatals, under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, have played a crucial role in providing the enabling environment for the successful conduct of a credible, free, fair, and transparent election. The Honourable Minister commends all stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem for their support that resulted into this this unprecedented success.” The statement read.

“More importantly, the Honourable Minister notes that these attainments are as a result of the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR towards ensuring Nigeria’s successful transition into the digital economy. The digital economy sector has enjoyed continued support of the President and it is highly appreciated. He also hopes that lessons learned during the process will be put to effective use in subsequent elections.” The statement ends.

March 18, 2023
Mastercard, Nigeria’s NowNow Partner To Boost Cybersecurity For SMEs

Mastercard and Nigeria-based digital payment startup NowNow have begun a partnership aimed at supporting Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) in combating cyberattacks.

The duo plan to achieve this by providing free materials to SMEs to help educate and intensify their cybersecurity ecosystem.

The agreement between Mastercard and NowNow comes amid major rises in cybercrime in recent years. Figures supplied by the Nigerian Telecommunication Commission underscore this issue. According to the commission, Nigeria loses an estimated $500 million every year as a result of cybercrime.

Businesses have frequently been discovered to be preferred targets for cybercriminals. They are targeted more frequently than larger organisations since they are less likely to have the resources to protect themselves. SMEs are also less likely to respond appropriately following breaches because they lack established mechanisms for doing so.
With regular web application penetration tests, NowNow tries to protect SMEs.

Such assessments aim to verify that the applications of SMEs are not subject to cyber threats. The startup’s service is presently available in Nigeria and Angola, with hopes to expand into additional areas in the near future.

NowNow is also the first African start-up to be accepted into the most recent Mastercard Start Path Global Program. The initiative is intended to assist later-stage entrepreneurs in their efforts to innovate and scale. The initiative provided operational support, commercial engagement, and the chance for strategic investment to NowNow.

The collaboration also intends to improve access to the Mastercard Trust Centre for its partner Firms. Mastercard launched the centre to assist SMEs in addressing cybersecurity threats as part of its $250 million pledge to assist SMEs following the devastating effects of covid-19.

Read also: Data Privacy and Protection receive more adoption in Africa

Mastercard’s And NowNow’s Support For SMEs

Paul Trueman is Mastercard’s executive vice president of product optimisation and customer advancement, cyber and intelligence.

Mastercard’s executive vice president of product optimisation and customer advancement, cyber and intelligence is Paul Trueman.

“As Mastercard brings the next billion people into the digital economy, it is vital that business owners feel as secure and safe from cybercrime as possible. Our partnership with NowNow is key to achieving this. Whether large or small, businesses deserve the peace of mind to operate knowing that they are being kept safe.”

On his part, Sahir Berry, CEO of NowNow, explained the firm’s dedication to digitally easing financial payments.

According to Berry, “Like Mastercard, NowNow is committed to driving financial and digital inclusion by creating an ecosystem that digitises payments and provides access to financial services for businesses, governments, and customers in rural and urban communities through simplified branchless banking initiatives.”
“We are excited to partner with the Mastercard Trust Centre to help our customers improve the security of their cyber ecosystem and better protect themselves from cyber criminals.”

About NowNow

NowNow Digital Systems Limited was established in 2018 by Sahir Berry (CEO) and Mahesh Nair (COO). Sahir was previously the Managing Director of Sportwagen Performance New Delhi. Mahesh has over 15 years of diverse worldwide experience, with prior stints at Airtel and Vodacom and competence in handling high revenue producing business throughout African and Indian markets.

NowNow is an African B2B and B2C Digital Payments firm with the objective of providing world-class financial services to SMEs, Agents, and Consumers. It is developing the best technology in the world to digitise cash payments and create financial empowerment for Africans to live better lives.

NowNow seeks to abolish the traditional banking experience by constructing an ecosystem that digitises payments and provides access to financial services for businesses, governments, and customers in rural and urban locations through simplified branchless banking efforts.

Nigerian fintech, NowNow raises $13million seed funding to boost financial inclusion

Mastercard Trust Center

The Mastercard Trust Centre is a subsidiary of Mastercard. It assists SMEs in defending their essential assets, business, and reputation by giving online access to reputable cybersecurity research, tailored education, resources, and tools from trusted external sources and payment platforms.

Understanding that each organisation has distinct needs, the Trust Centre offers a tailored approach, whether they are entrepreneurs learning about cybersecurity for the first time or business owners extending their expertise or mastering cybersecurity.

Mastercard forms alliances with external firms such as NowNow, non-profit organisations, and governments to offer the Mastercard Trust Centre to the SME communities of its partners.

February 20, 2023
5 African Technology Conferences to attend in 2023
Here are 5 African technology conferences you can attend this 2023 to stay informed on important technology trends that cut across industries.

Technology has significantly transformed human coexistence in recent years, as well as business operations across the world.

The world is constantly evolving, with new ways of better integrating technology into daily activities and making human interactions more seamless. It can oftentimes be overwhelming to find how to incorporate and situate technological advancement to suit Africa’s and Africans’ needs.

This is why it is important for everyone, particularly tech professionals/enthusiasts and business owners, to keep abreast of the way technology is changing the African continent. This can be achieved by attending virtual or in-person conferences that keep them up-to-date on technological strategies that can improve their daily operations, especially if you are in Africa.

So, below is a list of 5 African Technology conferences you can attend this 2023.
- Nigeria Cybersecurity Summit 2023
- Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2023
- Blockchain Africa Conference
- I Code Java
- BIM Africa Summit (BAS) 2023
Read also: Nigeria turns into a hub for technological innovation and research – Kola Oladejo

Nigeria Cybersecurity Summit 2023

The Nigeria Cybersecurity Summit 2023 is a two-day conference that will gather Cybersecurity experts to discuss and arrive at the best strategies to combat cyber-attacks across the continent.

The summit themed “Building a secure digital future” is scheduled to take place from 6th to 7th February 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Over 300 professionals, including CISOs from leading enterprises, Cybersecurity experts and elite ethical hackers from across the West African region, will be in attendance.

The key focus for the Nigeria Cybersecurity Summit 2023 cuts across Leadership & Upskilling, Critical Infrastructure, AI & Threat Intelligence, Risk Mitigation and Cloud Security.

Topics on Biometrics & Identity, the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as Malware & Threats would be addressed.

There will be over 15 hours of insightful sessions and six hours of networking to enable stakeholders to interact, share ideas and get to connect for the future benefit of securing the continent’s online terrain.

Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2023

The Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2023, which is in its fifth year, will yet again link thought leaders in the technology field from across the African ecosystem with international players and other stakeholders on Feb. 15-16, 2023.

This year’s edition will connect over 1000 delegates and more than 150 speakers across three Summits.

Over 450 organisations from different sectors, including fintech, DeFi & crypto ventures, mobile operators, tech corporates, regulators and investors, will be present at the summit.

Participants will have the opportunity to network with key stakeholders, including tech corporates, mobile leaders, fintechs, DeFi & crypto ventures, investors, start-ups, regulators and industry stakeholders driving business and investment forward.

Blockchain Africa Conference

The 9th edition of Bitcoin Events’ flagship summit, the Blockchain Africa Conference, is scheduled for 16-17 March 2023.

This year’s event would be a hybrid edition is holding in Johannesburg, South Africa and virtually across the globe.

The objectives of the conference are to provide a contextual understanding of blockchain technology and the available opportunities for Africa, as well as

to offer well-structured content that will meet the needs of different stakeholders across various industries.

It is also a great platform for networking opportunities centred around creating business partnerships and collaborations expected to provide employment opportunities and foster economic growth and development.

Over 1000 participants from around the world will be attending the conference debates and panel discussions.

I Code Java (ICJ)

I Code Java is Africa’s longest-running Java and Kotlin Conference. Global speakers and Java experts are hosted during the conference to discuss coding, amongst other tech-related matters.

I Code Java Conference will be held in two different South African cities at different times this year. The first conference is scheduled for 10 and 11 May 2023 in Cape Town, while the second is for 11 – 12 October 2023 in Johannesburg.

ICJ has always been a community-driven event which focuses on coding, architecture and developing leadership skills. Developing strong fundamental skills to further your career. Full-time African students have the opportunity to attend the conference for free, as 20% of the tickets have been set aside to support them.

Read also: UCT, GESDA Host Youth In Science And Diplomacy Discourse At WSF

BIM Africa Summit (BAS) 2023

Codenamed BAS 2023, this year’s BIM Africa Summit is a platform to interact with industry stakeholders and share strategies centred on boosting Africa’s development. The summit will exhibit innovation and new technologies in the built environment.

The 2023 edition will be hosted in Marrakech, Morocco, on the 18th and 19th of May, 2023.

It will focus on the digital development of the built environment for a sustainable Africa. There will be discussions and showcases on disruptive technologies from concepts in Laser scanning, 3D printing, Robotics, Digital Twinning, Artificial intelligence, African smart cities, and the Internet of Things to exploring on-demand software and hardware tools to collaborate and deliver the Africa that we want.

There will be over 1,000 exhibition visitors, 200 delegates, 60 exhibitors and 9 Award Categories.

These African technology conferences will expand the minds of participants in the various tech niches as well as other stakeholders that require such services, which ordinarily would cut across multiple sectors. So, make an effort to attend at least one.
January 7, 2023