Nigeria’s cyber threat risk has significantly increased, with the country now ranked 11th on the Cyber Threat Index for African nations as of January 2025, according to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. This marks a steady rise in the threat landscape, up from 14th place in August 2024. The Global Threat Index for January 2025 highlights that eight African countries are among the top 20 most attacked, with Ethiopia leading the list.
The primary threat actor identified is FakeUpdates, a persistent cyber threat. As cyber-attacks continue to escalate in Nigeria, other African nations also appear in the top 20 most attacked countries, including Zimbabwe at 5th, Angola at 9th, and Uganda at 10th. Nigeria’s cyber security vulnerabilities are underscored by incidents like the recent banking trojan attack, which compromised over 100,000 customer accounts, causing a loss of $3 million.
The report indicates that Nigeria has become one of the most targeted countries in Africa, exacerbating concerns about the growing risks in the cyber environment. These attacks disproportionately affect industries like education, government, and telecommunications, which have become frequent targets for cyber criminals.
Maya Horowitz, the vice president of research at Check Point Software, emphasized the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the cyber threat landscape. She explained that cyber criminals are increasingly using AI to automate their attacks, making traditional defenses ineffective. The report calls for a shift towards more proactive, adaptive, and AI-powered security measures to combat these evolving threats.
The continued rise in cyber-attacks across Africa highlights a crucial need for stronger cyber security infrastructures and policies. As threats grow in complexity, both public and private sectors must prioritize advanced technologies to safeguard their digital environments from the increasing tide of cybercriminal activity.
SOURCE: BUSINESS DAY