Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- The rise of digitalization and digital economies in Africa is driving the need for cybersecurity.
- Kenya, with its high internet penetration and digital transformation, is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Kenya has experienced a significant increase in digitalization and digital economies, which has transformed various sectors of the country, such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and banking. However, this digital transformation also brings about concerns regarding cybersecurity. In 2023, Kenya experienced a total of 860 million cyberattacks, making it one of the top three most targeted countries in Africa. Sectors such as financial services, healthcare, education, energy, utilities, and government agencies were particularly targeted. In July of the same year, over 5,000 government services were paralyzed due to a cyber-attack. Addressing these challenges requires robust cybersecurity policies, frameworks, and regulations, as well as collaboration between the private sector and government. Kenya must also focus on developing cybersecurity skills and promoting in-country developed cybersecurity experts. This includes establishing a cybersecurity professional certification/accreditation framework. Additionally, the shortage of experienced IT experts, especially in cybersecurity, poses significant risks to both the government and private sector, emphasizing the need for curriculum re-evaluation to meet the evolving needs of the IT landscape. By recognizing the importance of software engineering and cybersecurity, Kenya can fortify its cyber defenses and navigate the digital era with resilience and security.
