If 2023 was marked by cybercriminals’ remarkable adaptability and relentless pursuit of new avenues to achieve their goals – be it through exploiting vulnerabilities, gaining unauthorised access, compromising sensitive information, or defrauding individuals – the year ahead is likely to be defined by similar challenges. “Business cybersecurity needs will depend on how advanced and persistent threat (APT) groups adjust their strategies in 2024. Fortunately, threat intelligence can help organisations to prioritise where to focus limited resources for maximum effect,” says Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO of ESET Southern Africa.

By collecting, analysing, and contextualising information about cyber threats, including the most advanced ones, threat intelligence offers a critical method to identify, assess and mitigate cyber risk. “In the latter half of 2023, ESET’s global Threat Reports detailed several significant cybersecurity incidents, emphasising the industry’s need for vigilance and innovation. As Artificial Intelligence entered the mainstream, we saw a rise in AI-enabled cyberattacks. The use of AI is effective in automating certain forms of hacking while simultaneously lowering the bar for less technically able cybercriminals,” notes van Vlaanderen.

Along with criminals leveraging AI tools to create malicious code and legitimate-sounding email messages, ESET pinpointed campaigns specifically targeting ChatGPT users and attempts to access malicious domains mimicking the name, such as ‘ChapGPT’. “The advancement of AI in IT and its integration into business operations in South Africa is a significant industry development. ESET has long incorporated AI in its Machine Learning technology, recognising the great potential as well as the risks associated with this rapid technological advancement.”

Van Vlaanderen adds that the previous 12 months also saw an increase in the sophistication of more common online scams, including cryptocurrency romance schemes, OTP bot scams, and business email compromise (BEC) attacks. “Unfortunately, there’s little sign of attackers switching to other tactics, especially when malware-laden phishing links, emails, and ransomware are so effective. This is why prevention in the form of multilayered protection technology is so critical for businesses and individuals alike.”

ESET’s introduction of Patch Management and VPN services for SME clients in 2023 was a key milestone in creating a more secure environment for South African businesses, says van Vlaanderen. “Despite a challenging local economic environment, we’ve enhanced our set of comprehensive security solutions to ensure the South African market benefits from our award-winning digital security.”

Looking ahead, van Vlaanderen says Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services are set to be a major trend for businesses to watch. MDR, the specialised service offered by external providers, is designed to help organisations proactively search for and respond to cybersecurity threats as soon as they are identified. “MDR tackles several key challenges faced by modern businesses at once, most especially the shortfall of in-house security expertise. Establishing and training dedicated security teams for continuous threat monitoring is possible for larger organisations with ample resources, but much harder for SMEs. Added to the challenge is that SMEs are attractive and therefore frequent targets of cyberattacks, but simply cannot maintain a dedicated team of skilled security professionals to monitor and manage the sheer volume of evolving threats.”

Given the prevalence of advanced and persistent threats, van Vlaanderen predicts sustained growth in the MSP channel area, particularly where the cybersecurity needs in southern and eastern African countries can be addressed more thoroughly. “Similar to other regions, including South Africa, east Africa is confronted with various cyber threats such as phishing, malware, ransomware, and data breaches. These threats are aimed at both individuals and businesses, with cybercriminals pursuing financial profit, data theft, or disruption to key services, all in an environment where exchange rate challenges and persistent skills shortages only add to the hurdles to be overcome.”

As the new year picks up pace, van Vlaanderen says businesses will have to navigate a complex and evolving terrain of cyber threats. “Today’s cybercriminals are well-resourced, dynamic, and often rely on the element of surprise in their attacks. One of the best ways organisations can level the playing field and gain the upper hand is by understanding the threat landscape to make more informed decisions. In addition to greater awareness, having robust security solutions in place is the best way to prevent attacks from happening, and help businesses build the necessary resilience they need for the future.”

Anambra State has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, securing an incredible four prestigious awards during the ICT peer review session at the 11th National Council on Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE) meeting held in Kano.

The meeting was chaired by the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and hosted by the Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The vision of the administration of Mr Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, is to build a liveable and prosperous Smart Mega City and Mr. Governor is massively leveraging technology and digital innovation towards achieving this vision.

The awards, a testament to Anambra’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and progress in the digital realm, are as follows:

*The Overall Winner Best State in Digital Technology Development:* Here, Anambra State stood tall as the undisputed overall winner, scoring the highest number of points in all categories, showcasing its comprehensive dedication to advancing the state in the digital landscape. This award was presented to the MD/CEO, Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA) by the Kano State Governor, His Excellency, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf.

*First Position Best State in Digital Infrastructure Technology Development:* Under this category, Anambra State was recognized as the leading state in ICT infrastructure development, following the full implementation of the Zero Right Of Way (RoW) policy, implementation of an Internet Exchange Point; all emphasizing the state’s commitment to building a robust foundation for the prosperity of its people, using Technology. This award was presented by the Minister of CIDE, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

*First Runner-up in e-Government Implementation:* Anambra’s innovative e-government initiatives earned it the second position, highlighting the state’s effective use of technology in governance. The award was presented by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

*First Runner-up in Digital Technology Human Capital Development:* This award reinforces the state’s commitment to building a digitally-skilled and knowledgeable workforce and society in general. The final award was presented by the Kano State, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Mohammed Othman.

It is noteworthy that Anambra’s impressive outing at the annual event that brings together the federal government and state underscores its strategic vision and exemplary but detailed execution in the realms of infrastructure, e-government, and human capital development under the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR.

The awards during the official opening ceremony, followed the earlier recognition received during the ICT Peer Review session, where Anambra’s presentation made by Dr. Florence Idigo, a Director in the State ICT Agency, garnered enthusiastic applause and commendation from industry experts.

Receiving the awards on behalf of Mr. Governor, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, expressed profound appreciation to Mr. Governor for creating the enabling environment and a vision which guides the Agency in line with the ‘Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere’ mantra.

CFA also dedicated the awards not only to the team at ICT Agency but to the co-operation and collaboration of the entire solution team for their hard work and dedication to Mr. Governor’s vision.

“This achievement no doubt reflects our unwavering commitment to technological advancement and the transformative journey we are championing in Anambra State,” he concluded.

Offerings Tailored for 5G Challenges and Economic Growth

By Jon Abbott, Telecom Strategic Clients Director, EMEA at Vertiv

The telecommunications industry across Africa occupies a complex yet active space, with factors such as significant investment in sub-sea connectivity cables, increasing demand for data centres, and the rollout of terrestrial fibre broadband infrastructure gaining increasing prominence. Challenges for the continent include high costs of connectivity in some countries, together with the average speed of the available internet; as well as limited access within rural areas, and general infrastructure issues. As a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, Vertiv is poised to play its role in facilitating telecommunication challenges across the continent.

The importance of telecommunications in Africa 

Telecommunications, or telecoms, is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means, refering to all types of voice, data and video transmission. It allows individuals and businesses to use advanced communication methods for business and economic expansion, both at the macro- and micro-economic level.

Using telecommunications services, individuals, organisations and sovereign territories are empowered with the necessary infrastructure and tools to transmit data digitally. From education and e-commerce to mobile money, digital innovation holds the key to transformation and empowerment in general. In this regard, data centres play a crucial role in the ongoing development of the telecommunications arena; they are the backbone of the digital world, powering the operations of businesses across industries.

As the world becomes more digital, the demand for data centres is rising. The growing number of subsea cables being connected to the continent is an integral component for the growth of digitalisation, enabling internet traffic to flow and bringing new data collection points via the Internet of Things (IoT).

Sea cable landfalls are required to power data centres. Across the region, a number of stakeholders are connected in different ways to the infrastructure challenges that come with these sea cable landfalls. These various stakeholders should work together in order to function as a cohesive ecosystem.

Only through open regulation dialogue, planning, commissioning, construction and so forth, can the successful growth of data be maximised, bringing the required infrastructure to the continent, both further inland as well as at coastal locations.

Regional challenges and trends in Africa 

As outlined previously, challenges include internet speeds, connectivity costs, limited access in some areas, and general infrastructure issues. However, many African governments today are investing significantly in digital infrastructure to create an environment that supports the growth of digital services.

Market intelligence and advisory company Mordor Intelligence^[1] outlines in its ‘Africa Entertainment and Telecommunication Market’ report: ‘Local companies, foreign investors, and global players have all made a significant investment in the continent. Domestic infrastructure sharing, cross border and in-country mergers, and governments responding to the opportunity to regulate and to auction spectrum and licenses are some of the major factors playing a role in the growth of the telecommunication and entertainment market in the region.’

Data centre growth across Africa is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing demand for cloud-based services, the growth of the digital economy, and the increasing adoption of IoT technologies.

With regards to global fixed broadband speeds in megabits per second (Mbps), UK-based firm Cable recently released its 2023 Global Broadband Speed League of 220 countries, with South Africa ranking at number 104, showing an average speed of 36.46 Mbps.

Three other Sub Saharan African countries went against the trend of an average download speed of 12.1 Mbps for the region, namely Réunion (rated 79th at 45.51 Mbps), Rwanda (99th with 39.89Mbps), and Burkina Faso (35.64Mbps, 108th).

The general telecoms trends seen across the continent include ongoing digitalisation, together with the need to reduce carbon footprint (decarbonisation) and the decentralisation of networks.

The cost of implementing 5G networks and de-commissioning 3G and 4G networks comes under the spotlight, as does the need to be efficient with energy and water requirements. Vertiv is able to contribute to this growth at all levels of data centre requirements, from hyperscalers to micro data centre solutions, through our entire suite of offerings. As a manufacturer of critical infrastructure, Vertiv supports the power, cooling, containment and management of the physical fabric of either the network or the data centre.

Vertiv strives to enable reliable and efficient operations for our customers, and also improve efficiency in our own processes and operations. We have made inroads with the expansion of new and upgraded products with energy- and water-efficiency attributes, with others in the pipeline.

In addition to the advantages that telecommunications growth is able to provide in general, the growth of the data centre market in Africa presents an excellent opportunity to create jobs and spur economic growth in the region. As data centres continue to expand, we expect them to create new opportunities for employment, both directly and indirectly, in various verticals such as education, government, healthcare, retail and finance.