According to a report released by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), cybersecurity incidents in the country are on the rise, reaching 830 million by 2023. Cyber security threats are increasing not only in Kenya but across the continent and the world.
According to a 2022 report, one in every 10 businesses in East Africa will experience a cyber security breach.
Cybercriminals are exploiting the evolving digital landscape to attack individuals and organizations alike, motivated by potential gains ranging from financial incentives to simple mischief.
According to the latest Africa Cybersecurity Annual Report by Serianu, the cost of cybercrime in Africa is estimated at $10 billion in 2023, with Kenya’s cost potentially reaching $383 million.
As the digital landscape becomes more aggressive, malicious actors are creating new ways to circumvent security protocols. This highlights the importance of improving human capacity to respond to these threats.
There is currently a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. According to the World Economic Forum, there will be a global shortage of 85 million cybersecurity professionals, with four million needed immediately to close the current gap.
With cyber attacks costing the global digital economy up to $10.5 trillion annually, there has never been a more pressing need to improve the training of cybersecurity professionals.
To illustrate this, the CISCO 2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index found that 87 percent of organizations worldwide consider the lack of cybersecurity talent a major challenge, while 46 percent have more than ten unfilled cybersecurity roles.
This is a significant gap, especially as the level of cybersecurity threats increases, as many organizations continue to experience a large number of cyber attacks. Every 24 hours, Microsoft, for example, deals with 65 to 70 trillion cybersecurity signals, and this number is increasing.
Furthermore, Serianu Limited estimates that cyber attacks will cost Kenya USD 383 million by 2022 and the country only has 4,000 cyber security professionals.
The sophistication of cyberattacks is also increasing as cybercriminals use sophisticated tools and tactics, such as artificial intelligence, to exploit the ever-growing digital landscape. The technology allows attackers to automate their attacks, making them more effective and harder to counter.
Without a doubt, the growing volume and complexity of attacks will require an increase in the number and skills of cybersecurity professionals.
While including cybersecurity fundamentals in IT professional training is important, there is a clear need for more advanced and specialized training to keep up with the ever-changing threat landscape.
Specialized programs focused on specific aspects of the digital landscape provide cybersecurity professionals with extensive knowledge on how to build a secure digital environment, respond to incidents, and conduct digital forensics.
With the understanding of the importance of specialized training, Microsoft ADC has partnered with Cyber Shujaa, a collaboration of Kenya Bankers Association, USIU-Africa, and Serianu Limited, to train 100 students and set the path to cyber security specialization.
The course, led by Microsoft professionals, will walk participants through various cybersecurity principles, with the goal of providing industry-ready skills and certifications. The mentorship model integrated into the training will provide hands-on experience and unparalleled insight into cybersecurity and the changing threat landscape.
Kenya’s position as a Silicon Savannah presents unique opportunities and the need to invest in specialized cyber security training.
Collaborations between technology sector players and other sectors are ripe for the picking as businesses look for cybersecurity solutions that fit their specific industry requirements.
Working together, industry players can provide specialized training that increases their overall capacity to prevent and respond to threats efficiently, thus avoiding reputational and financial losses.
The time to act is now, as most industries are turning to digitization to increase efficiency, and the cost of inaction is already high.
Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap will not only improve our ability to protect the digital environment and increase confidence in the digital economy, but will also ensure that the benefits of digitization can be enjoyed safely.
