Africa confronts an avalanche of cyber-attacks

Compliance is crucial for the continent, as the EU is Africa's largest trading partner, with over 18 economic partnership agreements.

Both the Data Protection and Cyber-crime Bills seek to protect citizens' personal information as technology advances rapidly.

Seven African countries feature in the top 20 most attacked globally.

A recent report says he continent is hampered by a lack of digital security infrastructure, with about 90% of African businesses operating without cyber security policies in place, leaving them open to hacking, phishing, and malware attacks.

Check Point says its partnership engagement encourages partners to build specialist expertise, increasing the value of their services.

The cyber security vendor is providing the African NGO’s free CyberGirls initiative with access to its training content.

Critical infrastructure, government departments, and supply chains are becoming focal points for cybercriminal organisations says Lindsay Blackie, Channel Manager Check Point at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa.

Check Point and DCC say that businesses (irrespective of their size) that come under cyberattack incur higher costs from operational disruption and altered business practices.

Check Point finds a further 45% increase in attacks targeting healthcare organisations globally, since the start of November last year.

We also need to be ready for Gen VI attacks that exploit advanced 5G mobile networks says Pankaj Bhula, Check Point Regional Director: Africa.

Check Point research shows an average 2600 Coronavirus-related cyber attacks occur each day.