Where Technologies Meet National Security

also ft; Morocco Ranks among ‘World Leaders’ in Cybersecurity Report

September 28, 2024

CybAfriqué is a space for news and analysis on cyber, data, and information security on the African continent.

In today's newsletter, you’ll find out that major tech companies are testing security updates and are facing grand-scale hacks. However, we also highlighted critical discussions for African stakeholders and state leaders, such as national security and the need to harness effective cybersecurity measures on the continent. 

— Adebola

HIGHLIGHTS 

Where Technologies Meet National Security  

Lebanon and virtually the whole world reached a critical point for its technology and national security when a recent attack saw a likely breach in their devices: ‘Walking Talkies and Pagers.’ In this coordinated attack believed to be carried out by Israeli forces, a massive number of people were killed. This has raised severe concerns in the information and communications space about how Israel carried out the attack which was probably planned and executed for at least two years, and most importantly, the risk of the intercepted devices. Experts have noted that this mechanism can be traced back to previous centuries and is called the “Supply Chain” strategy. 

Why does this matter?

  • Africa and the rest of the world are fighting conflicts—some are historical—for one reason or the other mostly linked to domestic policies and regional problems. There is a global sensation towards war and with this tactic having kicked off, a new and unsuspected warfare could invade the continent like a swarm targeting its diverse people. Wars are now virtual and Africans need to be aware of how to integrate military offensive and defensive technologies and scale using them. 

  • The African continent relies on other countries for military technologies. Statistics revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa contributes a “smaller” role in the international arms trade and imports just 2% of global major arms. With smartphone penetration gradually increasing, hardware technologies in the information and communications space are similarly imported from countries beyond the continent’s borders. The possibilities of compromise during the supply of these weapons now arouse suspicions. It also questions if Africa could win a war of this nature.

Morocco Ranks among ‘World Leaders’ in Cybersecurity Report

According to an annual Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) report tagged ‘Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)’, Morocco was ranked in the Tier 1 category. This means that the country engages its stakeholders by ensuring adequate laws and policies for global best practices are established. Interestingly, Morocco is the only African country in this category. 

In Africa, cybersecurity measures and policies have been used for alternative means such that citizens, especially journalists are mostly targeted. In countries where democracies are struggling, these policies have served as surveillance gateways. 

While this suggests that more work needs to be done to enhance cyber security policy formulation and implementation, only a few over half of the countries have at least developed frameworks for utilisation. 

FEATURES

  • Two Ethiopians sue Meta with a fine of  $1.6 billion over hate content. 

HEADLINES 

  • Kenyan court to rule on jurisdiction in Facebook algorithm case over Ethiopia violence - TechCabal

  • Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Struggles: Why African Countries Like Mauritius and Rwanda Are Leading the Charge - This Day Live

  • SIM disconnection begins in Nigeria as consumer group requests more time - Developing Telecoms

  • Safaricom offers improved internet speed in response to Starlink’s growing popularity - TechCabal

  • Starlink's Botswana Subsidiary Does Not Have Local Shareholding - BW Tech Zone

  • NCC Targets 6GHz Spectrum to Boost High-Speed Internet in Nigeria - Regtech Africa

ACROSS THE WORLD

OPPORTUNITIES

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