Businesses and government entities have been challenged to prioritize investments in modern technologies that can safeguard sensitive data and vital systems against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

This was the primary call to action following a meeting organised by tech giant Safaricom as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 

In a summit held under the theme "Becoming a Cyber Resilient Organization," over 400 cybersecurity industry leaders and professionals engaged in crucial discussions surrounding the latest cybersecurity trends and the evolution of enterprise networks.

"Attackers are constantly working on designing, building, and evolving solutions to bypass or overcome the most advanced cybersecurity solutions. This has created a landscape in which companies face more significant cyber threats than ever before," said Nicholas Mulila, Chief Corporate Security Officer, at Safaricom.

With businesses, government agencies, and individuals facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, it is imperative to pool knowledge and resources to defend against these dangers effectively.

The summit served as a catalyst for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and insights among cybersecurity professionals, who collectively aim to create a more secure digital environment in East Africa and beyond.

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Subtle and sophisticated threats

“Cybercrime is becoming increasingly professionalized, leading to a proliferation of numerous subtle and sophisticated threats," added Safaricom's Mulila.

Statistics from the Communications Authority show that between July to September 2023, Kenya experienced more than 123 million cyber threat events.

“At Safaricom, we continue to provide a variety of solutions that connect, protect, enable, and transform business, ensuring business continuity even in the face of cyber attacks," noted Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom.

"We also have an enhanced cloud solution that is augmented with cyber security, and reliable connectivity and payment services,” she added.

In 2022, the government unveiled a National Cybersecurity Strategy (2022-2027), which outlines a comprehensive implementation plan and timeline for addressing evolving challenges within the cybersecurity space.

Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary at the State Department for Cooperatives, noted that the government is implementing an integrated cooperative management system to transition systems from analog to digital with a view to enhancing service delivery efficiency.

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