By Annet Kogai
CyberSOC Africa, a leading cybersecurity firm, has made its official entry into the Kenyan market, signifying a strategic move towards solidifying Kenya’s position as the hub for its pan-African cybersecurity initiatives. The firm’s expansion aims to bolster digital security, support the burgeoning e-commerce sector, and enhance national and regional cybersecurity capabilities in East Africa.
With Kenya’s reputation as a technology and innovation hotspot, the country stands to gain significantly from CyberSOC Africa’s proficiency in safeguarding organizations against ever-evolving cyber threats. This development marks a substantial stride towards realizing Kenya’s ambitious digital transformation objectives.
The establishment of the Kenyan office as the East African headquarters will play a crucial role in creating awareness and educating the public about cybersecurity. Additionally, it will furnish essential resources and tools to government agencies, businesses, and other entities, enabling them to shield themselves from cyber-attacks, especially as more services and transactions move into the digital realm.
During the launch event, Nir Kunik, the Chairman of CyberSOC, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s expansion, highlighting the necessity of collaborative efforts in maintaining cyber safety. He affirmed that the new office would play a pivotal role in promoting cybersecurity awareness and education while providing the necessary resources to facilitate secure online transactions.
CyberSOC Africa specializes in various facets of cybersecurity, including threat detection and response, threat intelligence, security awareness training, and compliance assistance, thereby aiding businesses in adhering to pertinent cybersecurity regulations and standards.
Brian Mang’oli, the Regional Sales Manager for East Africa, underscored the significance of tailored cybersecurity solutions in the African context, emphasizing the imperative nature of a Managed Security Operations Center (SOC) in bolstering national security. Mang’oli highlighted the crucial role of an SOC in monitoring networks and systems for any suspicious activities and potential threats, particularly in an era where cyberattacks can have severe economic and security implications.
CyberSOC Africa has established itself as a dominant player in the African cybersecurity domain, tackling various critical challenges such as digital extortion, ransomware, phishing, and business email compromise. The CEO, Shai Nuni, stressed the urgency of implementing robust cybersecurity standards in the African landscape, highlighting prevalent threats such as digital extortion, ransomware, phishing scams, and business email compromise.
Nuni emphasized the significance of promoting a robust cybersecurity framework, considering the increasing integration of digital infrastructure in various aspects of African society, including government operations, businesses, and banking. The Kenyan office’s reach is also intended to extend to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, further bolstering local cybersecurity capacities.
The Kenyan government acknowledges the pivotal role of cybersecurity in its digital transformation endeavors. Eng. John Tanui, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Information and Digital Economy, stressed the importance of reinforcing Kenya’s capability to support the growth of the digital economy, particularly in light of expanded digitalization programs and investments in digital and data infrastructure.
In line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the National Cyber Security Strategy 2022-2027, CyberSOC Africa’s strategic expansion into Kenya will contribute significantly to reinforcing the nation’s cybersecurity framework, aligning with the country’s long-term developmental objectives.