There is currently a noticeable surge cyber-attacks due to ongoing advancements in the digital landscape, emerging technologies, and the proliferation of smart devices.
A Cybersecurity Consultant, Olaifa Opeyemi at Digital Encode Limited, who made the observation recently while speaking at a fire-side chat during the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 3.0) Forum, noted that the more technology introduced, the greater the threats stressing “there’s a corresponding increase in malicious attempts to exploit these technologies.”
Opeyemi explained:. “We’ve witnessed a rise in cybersecurity threats, from ransomware and malware to business logic attacks. Social engineering, especially phishing, has become rampant. Additionally, there’s a surge in cryptocurrency attacks, notably cryptojacking.”
According to her, Cryptojacking is a technique where attackers infiltrate a user’s device with malware, covertly using its computational power and resources to mine cryptocurrencies for the attackers’ benefit without the user’s knowledge or consent
Opeyemi noted the increased data protection efforts in Nigeria following the passage of the data protection bill noting similar efforts in South Africa and Egypt through the implementation of POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act), emphasizing the continent’s push towards data protection.
Opeyemi stressed that cybersecurity extends beyond technology to encompass organizational staff. “Even with top-tier technology and security-conscious staff, having processes like password policies is vital,” she emphasized.
Cybersecurity aims at ensuring information confidentiality, integrity, and availability,” Opeyemi explained. “Confidentiality prevents unauthorized access, integrity safeguards against unauthorized modifications, and availability ensures uninterrupted access.”
Regarding safeguarding data against DDoS attacks, Opeyemi recommended employing traffic analysis solutions capable of filtering suspicious traffic to prevent service unavailability.
She urged the government to intensify cybersecurity awareness efforts, advocating for its inclusion in educational curricula to foster a cybercrime-free nation from an early age.
