A recent survey conducted by KnowBe4 in Africa has shown that many Nigerians and other Africans are not concerned about cybercriminal activities because they believe it won't affect them. The report revealed that the digital world is full of tools and services designed to make life easier for people, but these solutions have also opened up cyber windows for attacks that compromise both organisations and individuals.
Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA, highlighted that awareness and understanding of cybercrime among workers is one of the most important issues that organisations must address. According to her, many people feel safe online and do not believe that cybercrime will personally affect them. Others rely on their work to take care of their cybersecurity or do not know how to mitigate the threats themselves.
The KnowBe4 Cybersecurity in Africa survey involved 800 employees from various industries in Mauritius, Botswana, Egypt, and Ghana, to assess their level of cybersecurity awareness. The survey mainly examined their levels of connectivity, the digital platforms and devices they used, their perceptions of cybersecurity, their methods of operation, and their awareness of threats.
Ms Collard, citing the report's findings, revealed that many people are unaware that they can be hacked while using public Wi-Fi or that passwords and other sensitive data can be stolen while they are online. This lack of knowledge and awareness makes it easier for cybercriminals to carry out their activities.
The survey showed that most respondents used their personal devices for work purposes, with only a few using company-issued devices. This trend poses a significant cybersecurity risk to organisations because these devices are usually not secured or updated frequently.
The report also revealed that many respondents did not know how to identify a phishing email or what to do when they encountered one. Additionally, many respondents admitted to using simple and easy-to-guess passwords, and only a few had enabled two-factor authentication on their devices.
Ms Collard emphasised that cybersecurity awareness should be an ongoing process that organisations should prioritise. She urged organisations to train their workers on how to identify phishing emails and other forms of cyber-attacks, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep their devices updated.
The report further revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in cybercriminal activities in Africa, with attackers taking advantage of the pandemic to launch phishing attacks, malware, and other forms of cyber-attacks.
In conclusion, the report highlighted the need for organisations to invest in cybersecurity awareness and training programs for their workers. It also urged individuals to take responsibility for their cybersecurity by being aware of the threats and taking the necessary steps to protect themselves.
With the increasing threat of cybercrime in Africa, it is crucial to take proactive steps to mitigate the risks and protect against cyber-attacks.