AI may prevent or worsen hacking incidents

Kenya recently faced a major disruption when over 5,000 digital government services became inaccessible due to a hacking incident. This event has sparked conversations about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in preventing such breaches in the future. While AI has the potential to strengthen cybersecurity, experts caution that it is not a foolproof solution. The very technology meant to protect can also be used by bad actors for impersonation and identity falsification, making it a double-edged sword in the fight against cyber-attacks.

Peter French, the General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Acronis, a Swiss technology firm, emphasized the importance of AI in safeguarding Africa’s digital infrastructure. He believes that companies should adopt AI-powered solutions to better protect their digital assets. “The integration of AI into the fabric of Africa’s digital ecosystems ushers in a new era of opportunities and challenges,” French said, underlining both the promise and the perils that come with the growing role of AI in cybersecurity.

Cyber threats in Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya and Nigeria, have been on the rise. The Acronis End-of-Year Cyber Threats Report 2022 highlighted that financial phishing attempts surged dramatically in these nations during the first half of 2022. In Kenya alone, over 100,000 phishing attacks were recorded in the second quarter, a staggering 201 percent increase compared to the first quarter. Nigeria saw a rise as well, with more than 61,000 attacks, marking a 79 percent jump from the previous quarter.

These numbers are part of a larger pattern of cybercrime targeting businesses and organizations across Africa. From online scams and digital extortion to ransomware attacks and espionage, the continent’s emerging digital economies have become prime targets for cybercriminals. Critical infrastructure, including banking systems, e-commerce platforms, and government services, are particularly vulnerable.

French argues that AI can serve as a powerful tool for countering these threats, but it’s not without challenges. He points out that enterprises will need to find a balance between maintaining cost-effective operations and investing in robust cybersecurity measures. The recent hacking of Kenya’s e-Citizen platform serves as a reminder that while AI can enhance cyber protection, it also opens new doors for sophisticated attacks if not carefully managed.

The African Cyberthreat Assessment Report by Interpol further supports this view, noting that as digitalization expands across the continent, so too does the need for stronger cybersecurity strategies. The report highlights the importance of leveraging AI to not only detect but also prevent potential threats before they cause damage. However, it stresses that AI must be part of a broader, multi-layered approach to cybersecurity.

In a world where both the opportunities and risks of digitalization are growing, AI is becoming an essential tool. But as Kenya’s recent experience shows, the deployment of AI in cybersecurity needs to be carefully thought out, balancing innovation with caution to ensure that the very tools designed to protect do not become weapons in the hands of cybercriminals.