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Ph: DR: , The Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) is preparing for the 3rd Edition whose theme is: “Secure African digital transformation and a pan-African architecture in cybersecurity”
On March 31, 2023, the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) organized a press conference at the Tour C de l’Ivoire Trade Center, in order to come back to the main themes that will be discussed during the 3e edition of the CAF, on April 24 and 25 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire. Gathered around a discussion inviting a ” Secure African digital transformation and a pan-African cybersecurity architecture », the five experts present spoke about the importance of raising awareness among African companies and organizations about cybersecurity and implementing real strategies to fight against cyberattacks.
Improving digital security and raising awareness of the impacts and risks associated with cybercrime, these are the objectives that the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) has set itself since its first edition in 2021. For this new year, the focus focuses on the digital transformation of African organizations and the threats that underlie it, as illustrated by the panel held as a prelude to the Forum at the end of April in the Ivorian capital.
Made up of WHO IS Franck?, General Commissioner of the CAF, He is KIGNAMAN-SORO, Deputy General Commissioner of CAF, Hervé BAH, Technology Data and Cyber Risk Advisory Director at Deloitte, Hervé IRO MONDOUHOTerritory Channel Manager North, West & Central Africa chez Kaspersky et Fatima MBOUSSOU, Manager of IT Service Management (ITSM) of UEMOA, representative of Ecobank-Côte d’Ivoire, the panel of experts participating in the press conference was thus the opportunity to present these key players in the industry. cybersecurity and technology in Africa and partners of this new edition.
They particularly highlighted the importance of cybersecurity awareness in Africa in a context where digital transformation is increasingly present in all economic sectors. In particular, they returned to several key initiatives of this 3e editions such as the Cyber Africa Women initiative aimed at promoting the integration of women into the digital world, a crisis management exercise to raise the awareness of leaders and senior figures in the public sector to cyber risks and a hackathon whose objective is to promote local talent.
Franck KIÉ, General Commissioner of CAF, first spoke about the creation of this Forum, which presents itself as a space for exchanges with partners from the public and private sectors in order to identify and find concrete solutions aimed at securing the digital transformation. in Africa. Speaking more specifically about this 3e edition, he added in particular: The digital transformation taking more and more place in our companies, it was important to discuss the issues, the partnerships, but also the solutions to be able to secure this digital transformation. »
This new edition is all the more crucial as ” 90% of the companies interviewed are aware of the cyber risk, but of these, 67% say they are not attacked because they consider themselves to be very small companies”, highlighted Hervé IRO MONDOUHO, Territory Channel Manager North, West & Central Africa at Kaspersky, before adding ” Yet nearly two million attacks in 2022 hit SMBs according to statistics. » The expert insisted on the fact that cybersecurity is an essential issue for any company. He relied in particular on the recent Kaspersky study on Ivorian SMEs to illustrate his remarks, affirming that all are vulnerable to cyber risks, regardless of their size.
Hervé BAH, Director Technology Data and Cyber Risk Advisory at Deloitte, stressed the importance of cyber risks: ” Digital transformation is accelerating, gradually revealing certain vulnerabilities and weaknesses due to attacks. Returning to Deloitte’s involvement in the Cyber Africa Forum, he believes that cybersecurity should not be a subject treated separately, but rather must bring together various actors: ” It is crucial to have a global approach and to understand how, together, we can implement the most suitable security measures possible. »
As the banking sector itself is increasingly the target of cyberattackers, Fatima MBOUSSOUIT Service Management Manager (ITSM) of UEMOA, representative of Ecobank-Côte d’Ivoire, thus stated: At Ecobank, we are aware that the more digitization accelerates, the more payment services are dematerialized. De facto, the risk of exposure to cyberattacks increases further. By being a sponsor of the Cyber Africa Forum, we want to affirm our commitment to protect our customers, their data, their transactions. This is a priority for us and an opportunity to make our customers and future customers aware of cyber risks. »
Returning in particular to the richness of the program which will be offered to the thousand participants on April 24 and 25, He is KIGNAMAN-SORO, Deputy Commissioner General of CAF, spoke about the Cyber Africa Women initiative. Creating an impact without including all the stakeholders seems outdated: ” Women are not sufficiently represented in the digital sector. Cyber Africa Women therefore aspires to promote and strengthen inclusion as well as diversity in this area. In addition to raising women’s awareness of the importance of their participation in the digital sector and providing them with the necessary tools, the aim is to promote the creation of networks between women, in order to strengthen their visibility and their impact. “, she said.
Vast and enriching, the debates and exchanges around this 3e edition of the Cyber Africa Forum, will demonstrate the importance of digital security in Africa and collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure effective business continuity.
Register for CAF 2023 via the event website: www.cyberafricaforum.com
About the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF):
Founded in 2020 by Franck Kié, President of Ciberobs – Make Africa Safe – Managing Partner of Ciberobs Consulting and General Commissioner of CAF, the Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) is the benchmark platform for security and digital trust in Africa. In 2022, during its second edition, the CAF brought together more than 1,000 participants as well as some 45 partners and sponsors. More than 40 countries were represented and more than 200 business meetings were organised.
