Recent studies show that large companies lose around 2.5 billion dollars a year to cyberattacks, while small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face losses of around 120 million dollars. These figures are calculated taking into account the costs of interrupting activities, legal penalties due to the exposure of confidential data and reputational damage associated with the vulnerability of systems. In Angola, the need for a robust cybersecurity infrastructure is even more relevant, as the country experiences an accelerated digital transformation.
In 2023, Angola recorded more than 1,000 reports of cybercrime, most notably fraud on social networks, illicit transfers via internet banking, copyright infringement and counterfeit online sales. Although these crimes mainly affect individuals, practices such as cyber espionage and the theft of industrial information directly affect the performance of companies, especially SMEs and large companies in the health, financial and aviation sectors. These sectors rely heavily on digital solutions, making them potential targets for cybercriminals.
The rapid expansion in the number of internet and smartphones in Angola (in line with global rates of 67% and 81% respectively) makes the country an attractive platform for both legitimate and malicious cyber activities. With this context, the need for internet fast, secure internet services managed by operators withnow-how digital is crucial for regulated sectors such as banking and the oil industry.
Among the most frequent threats faced by companies are Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks - Distributed Denial-of-Service These attacks aim to overload systems with a high volume of traffic, making them inaccessible to legitimate users. The consequences go beyond the unavailability of services: financial losses, damage to brand reputation and possible legal sanctions. According to McAfee estimates, global losses from cyber threats could reach 10.5 trillion dollars by 2025. Implementing Anti-DDoS solutions is essential to mitigate the risks of business interruption, optimize incident responses and protect companies' reputations.
Angola's growing digitalization, coupled with a regulatory framework that still needs updating, has made the country increasingly attractive to cyber criminals. Many protection systems used by Angolan companies are outdated, and resistance to adopting more advanced security solutions ends up exposing institutions to unnecessary vulnerabilities.
With this in mind, Angola Cables, a benchmark in the telecommunications sector in Angola, has developed specific products and services to strengthen cybersecurity in the country. With a robust and certified infrastructure, we provide digital defense solutions to help companies protect themselves against cyber attacks and be prepared to respond to incidents efficiently.
There is no doubt that cybersecurity is now a priority and global issue, and debates on the subject are expected to intensify in the coming years. Angola Cables is prepared to take an active part in these dialogues, contributing its technical expertise to combating cybercrime and promoting a safer digital environment that is conducive to Angola's economic development.
By: Fernando Cruz, Sales Manager, Angola Cables
Source: https://www.opais.ao/opiniao/ciberseguranca-importante-para-o-presente-imprescindivel-para-o-futuro/
