Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Kenya experienced a significant surge in cyber threats during the three months leading up to December, with over 1.2 billion cases reported. This marks a staggering increase from the 123 million threats detected in the previous quarter, representing a 943 per cent jump. According to the latest report from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), this surge can be attributed to the country’s improved cyber threat monitoring capabilities and the heightened exploitation of system vulnerabilities, driven by the increased deployment and use of Internet devices.
The types of threats varied, with malware, brute force, web application, and mobile application attacks standing out at 13.2 million, 9.7 million, 0.07 million, and 0.05 million cases, respectively. In response to these threats, the National Cyber Security Centre issued 8.06 million advisories during the same period, marking a 44.4 per cent increase compared to the previous quarter.
System misconfiguration attacks were reported as the most prevalent, aligning with global cyber threat trends, where malware attacks, particularly ransomware, were rampant. Broadcasting and telecommunications PS Edward Kisiang’ani emphasized that advisories were crucial for warning critical infrastructure actors, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), cloud service providers, government, and the education sector, about impending attacks and guiding them on necessary remedies.
The potential economic impact of successful cyber-attacks on these sectors is deemed substantial, highlighting the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Annual data from CA for 2022/23 revealed that Kenya recorded 860 million cyber-attacks in 2023, witnessing a surge in frequency, sophistication, and scale. To address these challenges, the government is upgrading threat detection systems and providing training to key personnel.
Speaking during the first African preparatory meeting for the upcoming 2025 World Telecommunications Development Conference in Nairobi, Kisiang’ani reiterated the importance of collaboration in mitigating cross-border cyber threats within the global context. The meeting, organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), aims to champion policy and infrastructural reforms to bridge the digital innovation divide, ensuring an equitable digital future for all.
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) committed to presenting common positions at the conference to safeguard the continent’s interests. ATU Secretary-General John Omo highlighted the Union’s advocacy for favorable policies, regulations, and increased investment in telecommunications development across Africa.
