By Oladapo O. Adekoya
In modern times, the dependency on technology has become critical in the organizational functions of any organization around the world. The African continent, with its fast-growing digital horizons, is not an exception. However, many such gains do not come without significant challenges, especially in cybersecurity. Of these varied challenges, insider threats are very important-a silent killer yet a real and present threat[4].
Nature of Insider Threat
Insider threats are the security breaches by employees, contractors, or business partners. It can be due to malice, negligence, or being compromised by other bad actors. These threats pose a distinctive and hazardous situation: usually, insiders have legitimate access to very critical systems and sensitive data, which would make it easy for them to steal, manipulate, or sabotage highly valuable assets. According to [3], insider threats can degrade an organization’s resources and reputation far more effectively than even external cyberattacks.
Africa’s Unique Vulnerability
Some of the factors that create a ripe environment for insider threats are Africa’s growing digital economy and the limited cybersecurity infrastructure. Digitization in most parts of the continent is transforming nearly every aspect of life, with critical infrastructure, including financial services, health, and even public administration, going online. In this rush to adopt technology, however, the necessary security arrangements, as observed by [5], lag.
Recent statistics illustrate the scale of this issue. In 2021, cybercrime was estimated to have slashed Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by over 10%, equivalent to a staggering $4.12 billion (Mohamed & Kamau, 2023). Insider threats, being among the most insidious forms of cybercrime, likely contributed significantly to this loss.
Compounding the problem is Africa’s acute shortage of cybersecurity professionals. With only 7,000 certified security experts available to a population ofmore than 1.24 billion, it leaves the continent quite short on how to deal with sophisticated and nuanced risks presented by insiders. The shortage of skills will make organizations not only prone to deliberate attacks but also to accidental breaches due to uninformed staff members.
The Role of IoT and Emerging Technologies
Another dimension to the insider threat pertains to the proliferation of IoT devices across Africa. From smart cities to industrial automation, IoT technology is permeating every sphere of digital transformation across the continent. However, as [2] pointed out, little attention has so far been devoted to researching the concrete vulnerabilities of IoT devices in African cyberspace. These devices, usually deployed with very minimal security, could be conduits for insider-driven attacks, increasing the potential damage manifold. The boom in the Information and Communications Technology sector increased the challenge even more. Between the year 2000 and 2016, ICT usage in Africa increased by 7,000%. Although such growth has fired economic opportunities, it has equally increased the attack surface for cybercriminals, including insiders.
Economic and Strategic Implications
The economic consequences of insider threats in Africa go beyond the actual direct financial loss. The impact of cybercrime onGDP points to a broader implication of poor cybersecurity: dampened investor confidence, disrupted business, and weakened critical infrastructure. For a continent striving to establish its position in the global economic scenario, such setbacks become more debilitating. The insider threat is a strategic undermining of efforts to create resilient digital ecosystems. As African nations pursue ambitious goals such as the AfCFTA and Smart Africa’s Digital Transformation Strategy, robust cybersecurity measures must be foundational. If insider threats are not addressed, these initiatives risk being derailed, leaving countries vulnerable to economic and geopolitical instability.
The Way Forward
Addressing insider threats requires a multi-faceted approach. Policy makers, business, and civil society should work in concert in building up a cybersecurity culture of prevention, detection, and responseto safeguard their critical infrastructure and economic well-being [3][2][1].
Strategies include the following:
1. Investment in Human Capital: Growing the supply of cybersecurity professionals through targeted training programs, certifications, and academic partnerships.
2. Proper Onboarding: Companies should ensure that adequate security checks commensurate with positions are carried out to reduce unintentionally hiring security threats.
3. Better Policies and Regulations: Formulation of adequate cybersecurity frameworks that, when possible, would require risk analysis, periodic audits, and incident reporting.
4. Technological Security Controls: State-of-the-art technologies, such as user behavior analytics, access controls, DPL, and endpoint protection, monitor and mitigate insider threats.
5. Security Awareness: Employees and contractors should be informed about best practices in cybersecurity to instill responsibility and awareness among them.
6. Research and Development: Encourage local innovation to solve African-specific challenges, such as IoT security vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The insider threat is a silent yet formidable adversary in Africa’s cybersecurity landscape. As the digital footprint of the continent increases, so must its commitment toward safeguarding critical systems and data.
The battle will be won in Africa once the investments in cybersecurity expertise, infrastructure, and awareness are made.
The process will lay the groundwork for a secure and prosperous digital future. The stakes may be high, but economic growth, social development, and international competitiveness are some potential benefits well worth such effort.
• Adekoya writes from the US