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Cynoia wins Best SaaS Startup at AfricArena Summit 2024, revolutionizing African team collaboration with AI and cost-effective solutions. (Image source: Cynoia)

Cynoia, the African-built team workspace platform, has been recognised as the Best SaaS Startup at the prestigious AfricArena Grand Summit 2024, held in Cape Town

The event, now in its seventh year, is known as Africa's top tech ecosystem accelerator, drawing over 100 startups from 31 African nations.

At the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cynoia’s chief financial officer, Manar Labidi, accepted the award after competing with 45 other startups in a competition described by AfricArena founder Christophe Viarnaud as “the stage of Africa’s future.” This recognition strengthens Cynoia’s position as a key innovator in Africa’s SaaS sector.

2024 has proven transformative for Cynoia, which enables teams to collaborate more efficiently while slashing software costs by up to 80%. With a new leadership structure, growing international recognition, and continental expansion, the company is preparing to redefine the future of African teamwork with the upcoming launch of its AI engine, Hannibal.

In an important internal promotion, Nermine Slimane transitioned from Team Lead to Chief Technology Officer, bringing valuable expertise in Cynoia’s architecture to the executive team. This allowed co-founder Ayoub Rabeh to focus on his new role as Chief Product Officer, further strengthening the company's commitment to product development. Felipe Millan also joined as Chief Marketing Officer, completing the leadership team, which prioritizes diversity with women representing 47% of the company.

"We're building something special here," remarked Nassreddine Riahi, CEO of Cynoia. "Our team is stronger than ever, and we're reaching more businesses across Africa than we imagined possible when we started. We're not just creating another collaboration tool – we're building the workspace that African teams actually need."

November saw the release of Cynoia Version 2.0, featuring upgraded project management tools, chat, video calls, and file-sharing, all within a single bandwidth-efficient platform suitable for various budgets. The company has also expanded its footprint, establishing a legal entity in Senegal and growing its user base in Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Rwanda. "Being closer to our users helps us understand their real needs," explained Ayoub Rabeh, chief product officer. "Every market is unique, and we’re adapting our platform accordingly, especially for areas with limited internet connectivity."

Looking ahead to 2025, Cynoia is set to launch Hannibal, its AI engine tailored for African teams. "Hannibal will make advanced AI accessible to businesses across the continent, regardless of their size or location," concluded Nermine Slimane, chief technical officer. "We’re focusing on practical AI applications that make sense for how African teams actually work."

NETSCOUT's 1H2024 report highlights rising DDoS attacks in Northern Africa, urging nations to enhance cybersecurity for critical infrastructure resilience. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

As Northern Africa undergoes rapid digital transformation, expanding connectivity emerges as both a significant asset and a potential risk

Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Morocco are experiencing a notable surge in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, emphasising the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity across the region. The 1H2024 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report (TIR) by NETSCOUT highlights country-specific trends, uncovering unique and shared challenges in the region's cybersecurity landscape.

Tunisia: Multi-vector DDoS complexity

Tunisia saw 4,511 DDoS attacks, with the majority targeting wired (3,529) and wireless (574) telecommunications carriers. The NETSCOUT report reveals Tunisia faced the most complex attacks in the region, with up to 27 vectors, including ARMS, CLDAP, COAP, and DNS amplification, amplifying the severity of threats.

Libya: Growing threats in a developing digital space

In Libya, the rise in DDoS attacks coincides with the country’s expanding digital infrastructure. The report recorded 698 DNS amplification incidents, 337 ICMP attacks, and 211 STUN incidents, among others. A single attack employed 23 different vectors, reflecting a growing sophistication in cyber threats.

Algeria: Minimal attacks, high stakes

Algeria experienced the fewest DDoS incidents, with 452 reported attacks. Most targeted wired telecommunications carriers (411) and computing infrastructure providers. Despite the lower volume, DNS amplification techniques highlight the urgent need for robust network defenses to protect critical communications infrastructure.

Strengthening Northern Africa’s cyber resilience

The rise in DDoS attacks across Northern Africa, as reported by NETSCOUT, mirrors the cybersecurity risks linked to digital growth. To protect critical infrastructure and ensure resilience, organizations in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Morocco must adopt comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

"The increase in DDoS attacks across Northern Africa measured by NETSCOUT in its latest report reflects the broader cyber risks associated with digital expansion. As organisations in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Morocco grow their online presence, so too must they adopt robust cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure digital resilience," remarked Bryan Hamman, regional director for Africa, NETSCOUT.

KnowBe4 predicts 2025 cybersecurity trends, highlighting AI's dual role, ransomware threats, and Africa's cybercrime-human trafficking intersection. (Image source: KnowBe4)

KnowBe4, a globally renowned cybersecurity platform specialising in human risk management, has unveiled its cybersecurity predictions for 2025, curated by its team of international experts

In 2024, cyber threats evolved at an unprecedented pace, largely fueled by the growing use and popularity of AI tools. While these tools empower cybersecurity professionals to strengthen their defences, they also equip cybercriminals to refine and enhance their attack strategies, making them harder to detect.

AI Continues to Shape Cybersecurity

Advancements in AI will drive innovation on both sides of the cybersecurity spectrum. AI-powered tools for defence will improve threat detection and response capabilities, leveraging the technology's ability to process large volumes of data, identify anomalies, and enhance detection accuracy. This evolution will significantly aid cybersecurity teams.

Conversely, attackers are also harnessing AI to craft more sophisticated methods, such as targeted social engineering campaigns that exploit emotions and specific vulnerabilities. These AI-driven tactics will blur the lines between authentic and malicious content, intensifying the ongoing battle between defenders and attackers.

Persistent Ransomware Threats

Ransomware will remain a prominent challenge due to the collaboration between ransomware groups and initial access brokers. To counteract this, AI-based tools capable of monitoring networks and detecting unusual encryption processes will gain popularity, minimising the impact of ransomware attacks.

Focus on the Human Element

Organisations will increasingly prioritise security awareness training and simulated phishing exercises to address human risk factors. As cybercriminals refine their social engineering techniques, creating personalised and effective attacks, companies must balance maintaining vigilance with avoiding phishing fatigue. Adaptive, relevant training will play a vital role in fostering a positive security culture.

Advances in Deepfake Detection

The year 2025 will bring significant improvements in deepfake detection technologies, making them more accessible and effective. However, cybercriminals are expected to exploit deepfakes and disinformation to accelerate extortion, mask other attacks, and harm reputations.

Adopting Zero-Trust and Cyber-Mindfulness

A zero-trust mindset and cyber-mindfulness will gain traction as proactive cybersecurity strategies. Organisations will emphasise critical thinking and a vigilant attitude among employees, treating every user and device as potential threats. This approach will help mitigate internal risks while fostering a culture of scepticism and awareness.

Cybercrime and Human Trafficking in Africa

Africa faces an alarming rise in cybercrime linked to human trafficking, with criminals exploiting the region’s youth through fraudulent job offers. This disturbing overlap is expected to worsen in 2025, as cybercriminals leverage economic hardships and limited digital literacy to increase targeted scams such as romance and employment fraud.

“The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, and the dynamic between defenders and attackers has never been more complex,” said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4. “As we enter 2025, we must embrace the potential of AI to enhance our defences and protect organisations globally. At KnowBe4, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of this evolution, providing human risk management tools and tactics to protect organisations against sophisticated threats. It is a continuous journey of innovation and adaptation.”

 

SEACOM collaborates with forefront and Cloudflare to provide advanced cybersecurity solutions to African businesses. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

SEACOM, a leading provider of connectivity and cloud services, has partnered with Forefront, a cybersecurity managed services firm, and Cloudflare to deliver advanced cybersecurity solutions across Africa

The collaboration aims to enhance cybersecurity resilience on the continent by offering Cloudflare's top-tier security services to businesses looking to modernise their infrastructure. SEACOM clients will now have access to a range of Cloudflare products along with managed services, including optimisations, integrations, health checks, and local support from certified Cloudflare teams.

Sajid Khan, SEACOM's group managing director for digital services, noted, "This partnership marks an exciting new addition to our product portfolio by providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to our clients."

Graham Turnbull, Cloudflare's account executive, commented, "SEACOM's extensive network infrastructure provides a strong foundation for delivering Cloudflare's solutions, including advanced security and zero-trust services, through the Managed Services Programme. Together, we are empowering African businesses with world-class internet and security services."

To bolster global efforts against cybercrime, Kaspersky and AFRIPOL have signed a five-year cooperation agreement to prevent and combat cyber offenses

This partnership formalises collaboration between the company and the law enforcement agency, facilitating the exchange of threat intelligence on emerging cybercriminal activities.

Africa continues to face a rapidly evolving cyberthreat landscape, particularly in industrial sectors. The continent has the highest share of Industrial Control Systems computers targeted by malicious objects, as detected by Kaspersky’s solutions. These escalating risks highlight the need for enhanced cooperation to mitigate potential threats.

The agreement strengthens ties between Kaspersky and AFRIPOL by improving data exchange on cybercrime trends. Kaspersky will provide threat intelligence for AFRIPOL’s criminal intelligence analysis and offer technical assistance through its expert teams.

Kaspersky CEO Eugene Kaspersky emphasised, “An effective fight against cybercrime is inconceivable without cooperation. Our company has always put collaborative effort first – sharing its expertise with the widest range of stakeholders: the security expert community, law enforcement agencies, and also the general public to empower them with knowledge about acute cyberthreats. Hence, by advancing our cooperation with AFRIPOL and by equipping the agency with both the information and technology required for responding to emerging cyberthreats, we hope to enhance our contribution in fostering greater cyber-resilience and a safer cyberspace for all.”

AFRIPOL acting executive director ambassador Jalel Chelba stated, “This agreement with Kaspersky represents a major step forward in strengthening Africa's digital defenses. By leveraging Kaspersky's expertise and resources, we are not only enhancing AFRIPOL's ability to counter cyber threats, but also contributing to the protection of a secure digital space for all African citizens. This collaboration brings substantial added value to both our organisations: it strengthens AFRIPOL's operational framework in combating cybercrime, while allowing Kaspersky to play a key role in the digital security of a strategically important continent in terms of cybersecurity. Together, we are taking a significant step towards resilience and digital trust in Africa, by mobilising the best of both partners.”

Kaspersky and AFRIPOL have a long record of joint cooperation projects. The two organisations have been active contributors to the assessment of the African threat landscape, while also being active participants in INTERPOL-led actions to disrupt cybercrime on the African continent, namely Africa Cyber Surge Operation and Africa Cyber Surge Operation II. The two organisations have also been advocating for greater digital trust, with AFRIPOL having endorsed Kaspersky’s first Transparency Center in the African region in Rwanda.

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