Network Security Threats and Solutions: Safeguarding Kenyan Businesses

Kenya is grappling with a mounting wave of online threats, as both businesses and individuals find themselves increasingly at risk, with an average of one million online crimes reported each day in the country. By being aware of the most common network security threats and taking steps to mitigate them, you can help protect your organization from costly and disruptive attacks. According to the recently released Economic Survey 2023, attacks are projected to rise further. Therefore, it is crucial to have awareness about digital security and the common security risks to keep your data and employees safe.

Cybersecurity Statistics

According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the number of cybercrime reports worldwide increased by 63% from 2020 to 2021.

Accenture’s Cybercrime Study revealed that approximately 43% of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). An overwhelming 95% of these incidents can be traced back to human error, as reported by the World Economic Forum.

Between 2021 and 2022 cybersecurity advisories increased from 8.0 million in to 13.7 million in 2022 with hackers now setting sights on large organisations. The study also mentions that hackers are now setting their sights on large organizations.

The Economic Survey for 2023 states that “the number of system vulnerabilities increased by 780% from 58 million in 2021 to 452.4 million in 2022.”

What is Network Security?

Network security is the practice of protecting your organization’s computer networks and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. It involves a variety of measures, including:

• Network segmentation: Dividing your network into smaller segments to make it more difficult for attackers to move laterally and access sensitive data.
• Data loss prevention (DLP): Implementing policies and technologies to prevent sensitive data from being leaked or lost.
• Firewalls: Filtering and blocking malicious traffic at the network border.
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS): Detecting and blocking malicious activity within the network.

7 Common Network Security Issues in Kenya

Understanding the following threats can help Kenyan businesses develop more robust strategies and practices to protect their organizations from cyber threats:

1. Internal Security Threats: Over 90% of cyberattacks in Kenya result from human error, including phishing attacks, poor decision-making, and weak passwords. Insider actions can lead to downtime, revenue loss, and customer dissatisfaction.
2. Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: DDoS attacks in Kenya overload websites, causing them to crash or slow down. Cybercriminals turn internet-connected devices into bots, directing them to a Kenyan business’s IP address, creating a flood of traffic that overwhelms the website.
3. Rogue Security Software: This deceptive software tricks Kenyan businesses into believing their IT systems are infected, often appearing as a warning message from a legitimate anti-malware solution. It can also corrupt existing cybersecurity programs.
4. Malware: Malware in Kenya includes worms, rootkits, trojan viruses, and spyware, which gather information from compromised devices for malicious purposes.
5. Ransomware: Ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption. Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) allows cybercriminals in Kenya to create and launch their own ransomware attacks.
6. Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks involve hackers disguising themselves as trusted entities to steal personal information from Kenyan organizations through emails, text messages, or phone calls.
7. Viruses: Computer viruses in Kenya infect systems when users open infected files, disrupting network traffic and stealing data.

Secure Your Network and Data with a Team of Cyber Safety Experts

Network security is a complex and ever-evolving field. It is important to have a team of experienced cyber security experts on your side to help you protect your organization from the latest threats.

Essential Mungai Importers & Exporters LLC’s cyber security consultants specialize in protecting business networks with the latest software and hardware. They can help you to improve your cyber security posture, empower your staff with industry knowledge, and achieve greater corporate safety.