According to a report published by the African Union, African businesses have lost more than $3.5 billion to cybercrime. Interview with Daouda Sow, who runs the company specializing in cybersecurity, Techso Group. He gives us an overview of the sector in Africa.
At a time when we are talking about the rise of artificial intelligence, how is the cybersecurity market evolving in Africa?
The cybersecurity market in Africa is booming, due to the rapid growth of Internet connectivity and the increasing digitalization of business processes in public, government and private sectors.
According to a report published by the African Union, African businesses have lost more than $3.5 billion due to cybercrime. This is a significant financial loss for emerging economies which need investments to develop and meet the growing needs of increasingly connected populations.
What are the challenges of this market and, above all, how is the legislation evolving?
Moreover, Africa is increasingly aware of the need to protect its critical infrastructure, businesses and citizens against cyber threats.
The market is characterized by growing demands for cybersecurity services such as security audits, integrations of information systems security solutions, operational centers for monitoring, supervision and response to security incidents (SOC). for example), compliance with international standards (PCI DSS, ISO27001, etc.), governance and continuity of services.
This market is also driven by the dynamics of national legislation in matters of cybersecurity, due to the awareness of African States of cyber threats. However, there are several challenges that still need to be addressed, such as the lack of qualified resources and the lack of awareness among decision-makers leading to insufficient investments in cybersecurity.
Are there African players in the cybersecurity sector? on the continent?
Yes, there are several African players in the cybersecurity sector, providing various services ranging from security consulting and training to risk management and incident response. We note the emergence of local players increasingly specialized in cybersecurity to respond to these challenges.
There is also a strong presence of large international companies, through their subsidiaries with local players, who address this need on the continent. Increasingly, African organizations are recognizing the importance of having a local approach to addressing cybersecurity issues, which is contributing to the emergence of a strong cybersecurity ecosystem on the continent.
You are one of these African actors. What is the reality of your activities?
Techso Group, based in Morocco, Senegal and France, is an African company specializing in cybersecurity. With a 360° vision of cybersecurity. It supports operators of critical infrastructure, financial and industrial sectors who face new threats and new regulatory and compliance constraints.
Techso Group has several cutting-edge accreditations in the field of cybersecurity, such as PCI QSA, service provider CSP SWIFT and qualified Information Systems Security Audit Provider (PASSI). These accreditations allow us to support our clients in their regulatory compliance projects.
However, I would like to draw attention to an observation on the continent. Several companies which do not have the skills or feedback are launching into this field because opportunities present themselves. Entrepreneurs who wish to launch into cybersecurity must prioritize training their teams to provide real added value to their clients.
How do African operators face foreign competition?
African operators face significant competition from foreign companies in the field of cybersecurity. To cope, they are adopting several strategies, including developing local expertise: African companies are investing in the training and skills development of their staff in order to provide high-quality cybersecurity services.
They must also focus on solutions adapted to the African market: local companies are well placed to understand the specific challenges and needs of the African market. They therefore offer tailor-made solutions that meet local requirements.
Abdellah Benahmed / ECO Inspirations
