Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT responsibility—it is a core business risk that directly impacts financial performance and operational resilience. This article explores how organisations must shift from a technical, siloed approach to a boardroom-driven strategy based on risk tolerance, balancing security, accessibility, and commercial outcomes.
Tag: cybersecurity
ESET Threat Report H2 2025: Phishing and Social Engineering Pose Biggest Cybersecurity Risks for South African Organisations
ESET’s H2 2025 Threat Report reveals that phishing and social engineering remain the most significant cybersecurity risks for South African organisations, accounting for 45.7% of detected threats—well above the African average. The report also highlights the rapid evolution of AI-driven scams, deepfake-enabled fraud, NFC payment attacks, and growing global ransomware activity, underscoring the urgent need for stronger cyber resilience and advanced threat detection across South Africa’s digital economy.
AI-driven shopping and privacy: What the retail and e-commerce sector should expect in 2026
As AI-driven shopping transforms retail and e-commerce, cybersecurity and privacy risks are escalating rapidly. In 2025, retailers faced a sharp rise in ransomware, phishing, and mobile malware attacks, with cybercriminals increasingly targeting online stores, payment systems, and delivery services. Looking ahead to 2026, conversational AI search, external AI shopping assistants, and image-based product discovery are expected to expand the data and privacy attack surface, exposing both consumers and businesses to new threats. To sustain trust and growth, retailers must strengthen cybersecurity defenses, improve data governance, and proactively address emerging privacy risks associated with AI-powered shopping experiences.
Kaspersky shares AI cybersecurity predictions for 2026
Kaspersky shares its 2026 cybersecurity predictions, highlighting how artificial intelligence and large language models are reshaping digital security. Experts warn of rising deepfake threats, AI-driven cyberattacks across the kill chain, blurred lines between legitimate and fraudulent content, and growing use of AI in both cybercrime and security operations, urging businesses and users to adapt their defenses.
Digital Economy Expected to Grow 9.5% within the global economy, new DCO Trends 2026 report reveals
The global digital economy is projected to grow by 9.5% in 2026, reaching an estimated USD 28 trillion and accounting for 22% of global GDP, according to the Digital Economy Trends (DET) 2026 report by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). Launched in Riyadh, the report analyzes insights from over 400 policymakers, economists, and technology leaders across 26 countries, identifying 18 key digital economy trends shaping global innovation. The study highlights end-to-end cybersecurity, ambient intelligence, and converging frontier technologies—including AI, robotics, and spatial computing—as the most impactful forces driving inclusive growth, digital transformation, and economic value creation. DET 2026 also underscores trillions of dollars in potential from AI-driven workforce transformation, immersive technologies, digital trade, and resilient digital infrastructure, offering governments and businesses a data-driven roadmap for navigating the future digital economy.
Africa Emerges as Most Fraud-Exposed Region Globally, New Sumsub Study Reveals
A new Sumsub 2025 Global Fraud Index, developed in collaboration with Statista, reveals that Africa remains the world’s most fraud-exposed region, with an average score of 3.84, far exceeding the global average of 2.79. Covering 112 countries, the Index highlights persistent regional vulnerabilities in digital and financial systems despite global improvements. Mauritius ranked as Africa’s most fraud-protected nation, while Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda were among the least protected globally. The report stresses the urgent need for investment in digital infrastructure, stronger policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to combat evolving fraud threats. Experts emphasize that governance and AI-driven defences will be critical for building trust and resilience in Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.
Shadow AI vs Managed AI: Kaspersky reviews the use of neural networks for work in the META region
Kaspersky’s latest report, “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behaviour,” reveals that over 81% of professionals in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region use AI tools for work, but only 38% have received cybersecurity training on safe neural network use. The study highlights a growing divide between “Shadow AI” —unregulated, employee-driven use of generative AI tools—and “Managed AI”, where organisations enforce policies and training to mitigate risks like data leaks and prompt injections. With AI now widely used for writing, content creation, and data analytics, Kaspersky urges companies to adopt structured AI governance policies, tiered access models, and employee education to balance innovation with security.
Weaponising the threat: The changing face of cybercrime
The landscape of cybercrime is evolving, with companies and high-profile individuals increasingly weaponizing cyber-attacks to disrupt competitors, spread misinformation, and tarnish reputations. In this article, Richard Frost from Armata Cyber Security delves into how cybercrime tactics have shifted from mere data theft to sophisticated strategies aimed at discrediting or misdirecting rivals. These malicious activities, which include false accusations and corporate espionage, introduce complex new challenges for businesses trying to protect their reputation and data. Frost emphasizes the importance of strategic defense mechanisms, strong security support, and heightened awareness to combat these growing threats.
Five ways AI is creating everyday risks for African businesses
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cyber risk landscape for African businesses. Emmanuel Tzingakis, Technical Lead at Trend Micro, highlights five key AI-driven threats: hyper-personalised phishing, deepfakes, data governance gaps, malicious code in open-source repositories, and AI hallucinations. These risks demand urgent attention as attackers increasingly exploit AI tools for fraud, social engineering, and data breaches. The article explores how businesses can strengthen cybersecurity through better visibility, improved data governance, and proactive AI monitoring to stay ahead in this evolving digital battlefield.
Kaspersky Unveils GriffithRAT: Advanced Malware Targeting Fintech and Online Trading Platforms
Kaspersky has discovered GriffithRAT, a sophisticated malware targeting fintech firms, online trading platforms, and betting companies across the UAE, Egypt, Turkiye, and South Africa. Spread via Skype and Telegram, GriffithRAT disguises itself as financial analysis documents to steal sensitive data such as login credentials, keystrokes, and webcam feeds. Linked to cyber mercenaries, this malware is part of a growing trend of targeted, commercial cyberattacks aimed at corporate espionage and data theft.