As Africa’s industrial market grows, cybersecurity experts are urging companies to upgrade their digital defenses. The continent’s cybersecurity market, valued at $0.68 billion in 2025, is projected to more than double to $1.44 billion by 2031. Experts warn that cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it is a vital part of economic infrastructure.
Elijah Daniel, Country Sales Director for Process Automation and Software at Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa, highlighted a major vulnerability: the lack of separation between IT and operational technology (OT) networks. “A compromised email, a malicious file, or an infected USB device can become a bridge from IT systems into OT environments where critical production processes are controlled,” Daniel explained. Sectors like oil and gas, mining, and power generation are particularly at risk due to outdated control systems and aging infrastructure.
Cyber threats have evolved beyond lone hackers. Contemporary risks include ransomware attacks on energy systems, supply chain exploits, state-sponsored campaigns, and AI-driven attacks. Many industrial facilities still use a “run-to-failure” approach, maintaining systems only when breakdowns occur. While this may seem cost-effective, Daniel warns, “If a system is working, it does not necessarily mean it is secure.” Outdated systems lacking security patches and modern monitoring are prime targets.
Moving from Security Level 2 to Security Level 3 represents a critical shift for industrial operators. Security Level 3 safeguards against organized attackers capable of complex ransomware campaigns, reducing potential legal and financial liabilities. Safety systems, such as Triconex, protect against catastrophic operational failures—but only if they are themselves secured. Daniel emphasizes, “Cybersecurity is the gate that protects the functionality and continuity of industrial processes.”
Schneider Electric integrates cybersecurity across industrial operations through network segmentation, continuous monitoring, and lifecycle security management, combining automation and cybersecurity via its EcoStruxure platform. Africa’s industrial cybersecurity maturity is still emerging, offering a crucial opportunity to embed security into modernization efforts. With the financial impact of cyberattacks—including downtime, ransom demands, penalties, and reputational damage—potentially reaching millions, protecting industrial systems is now directly tied to safeguarding economic growth.
source: punch