Huawei Technologies has launched its latest cyber security service targeting the Kenyan private and public sectors deepening the use of cloud storage solutions and artificial intelligence systems amid escalating cyberattacks.

Known as Ransomware Protection 2.0 the new service has been designed to address emerging technologies including cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) that are spreading rapidly.

All of these developments, said Huawei Kenya CEO Gao Fei, mean that cyber security risks are rising. He pointed out that for the country to benefit from the expansionary economic impact of ICT, maintaining a secure ICT environment is key.

“The ICT sector is growing rapidly, it is important to ensure that every business’ systems are working well without facing malicious threats, such as ransomware, that disrupt day to day operations and bring real financial costs,” said Gao.

Nearly 40 percent of public sector organizations use cloud storage services while at least 68 percent of private sector organizations have embraced the cloud. Technology is now everywhere, with all businesses thinking how to collect data and make the most out of it; indeed, data is now a critical input propelling our economy and society. This brings explosive growth in data storage requirements as so many services now collect data as well as depend on data for critical applications. It has become challenging to handle large amounts of data efficiently, ensure OnDemand mobility of data, turn data into gold, and at the same time also protect our data. If data is worth as much as gold, it is also worth protecting.

Kenya still faces a significant threat from ransomware attacks, which have increased dramatically in recent years. Ransomware attacks, by a type of malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom for its decryption, are especially on the rise.

Speaking at the event, Andrew Opiyo, Director ICT at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, noted that with the acceleration of digital transformation and rapid data growth in Kenya, the country faces a significant threat from ransomware attacks, which have increased dramatically in recent years. The need for robust cyber security protection is now more crucial as a result of the recent move to roll out 25,000 wi-fi hotpots and digitize government services amongst others.

“We need to pay more attention to ransomware and other cyber-attack mechanisms and adopt necessary solutions to prevent additional attacks,” he added pointing out that with digital infrastructure that includes data storage being a critical component of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, it is important for the country to pursue enhanced vigilance against cyber criminals.

According to a recent report by Kaspersky, Kenya recorded 32.8 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2021, making it one of the most targeted countries in Africa. Hence there is a need to have solutions, such as Huawei’s Ransomware protection, which helps to prevent such attacks from happening.