Africa's surge in connectivity addressed

The challenges that have emerged as a direct consequence of the rapid development of technology can also undermine progress and expose users to illicit activities online. In a Daily Maverick analysis, Mark Shaw notes that before 2000, Africa hosted only 4.5m Internet users. Today, there are close to 400m users online on the continent. ‘As opportunity increases on the continent, so too do the associated risks. Africa has become more vulnerable to general online security threats, intellectual property infringement and the theft of personal data. Indeed, it is estimated that 80% of all personal computers on the continent are infected with viruses and other malicious software. Today’s cybercriminals no longer require users’ consent or knowledge to access valuable pieces of personal data. Cybercrime is, across the board, becoming bolder and more advanced; not only in how victims are targeted, but also the amount of money sought. In 2016, Serianu ranked the sectors most vulnerable to cybercrime on the continent, and placed banking and government at the top.’ Shaw points out that African countries have struggled to build the technical and financial capacity needed to target, monitor and thwart illicit online activities. ‘There are simply not enough trained professionals, and historically there is little political will in many countries to tackle the issue. This stems from a combination of factors, including insufficient budgets and a tendency to overlook the ‘‘invisible’’ threat. The cybersecurity infrastructure on the continent is in itself weak, with factors like outdated or pirated software leaving African countries vulnerable to serious security risks.’

Full analysis on the Daily Maverick site