Cyber-crime: SA the most targeted on the continent

25 January 2016 - 21:23 By TMG Digital
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South Africa has the highest rate of cybercrime on the continent‚ a report by Cisco revealed on Monday.

Cisco Annual Security report said that “today’s attackers launch more sophisticated‚ bold and resilient campaigns”.

Greg Griessel‚ Consulting Systems Engineer Security Solutions at Cisco South Africa‚ said: “Cyber criminals are getting smarter and employing a number of personalised tactics‚ which places businesses at greater risk. 92% of business leaders agree that regulators and investors will expect companies to manage cyber-security risk exposure. These leaders need to essentially increase measures to secure their organizations’ future‚ particularly as they digitize their operations.”

Griessel believes that an understanding of the tactics employed by cyber criminals is an absolute necessity.

“Businesses are up against security challenges that inhibit their ability to detect‚ mitigate and recover from common and professional cyber-attacks‚” said Griessel.

“Aging infrastructure and outdated organizational structure and practices are putting them at risk. The South African public and private sector need to understand what they are up against and arm themselves before the worst case scenario becomes a reality.”

The report says that only “45% of organisations worldwide are confident in their security posture” as today’s attackers launch bold and sophisticated campaigns.

“Hackers increasingly tap into legitimate resources to launch effective campaigns for profit-gain.

“The study sounds a global call-to-arms for greater collaboration and investment in the processes‚ technologies and people to protect against industrialized adversaries.”

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