As companies across East Africa rush to deploy artificial intelligence [AI] to fuel growth and innovation. NTT DATA & Cisco are warning that cybersecurity readiness is not keeping pace.
At a high-level roundtable in Nairobi. Brian Kiplagat, Head of Cybersecurity at NTT DATA East Africa, cautioned that attackers are now using AI to identify and exploit weaknesses faster than ever.
“Many organisations have solid on-premise controls, but they lose visibility when workloads move to the cloud or employees work remotely. Attackers are targeting those blind spots,” Kiplagat said.
The session, co-hosted by NTT DATA & Cisco, brought together technology and business leaders from across the region to discuss balancing AI-driven growth with rising cyber threats.
Kelvin Mugambi, Technical Solutions Architect at Cisco Sub-Saharan Africa, added that AI is powering more sophisticated attacks from AI-generated malware to convincing deepfake scams.
Cybersecurity Must Keep Pace with East Africa’s AI Growth
“Defending today’s digital infrastructure means protecting systems that can think and act, not just react.” Mugambi said. He noted Cisco’s latest global study shows only 4 percent of organisations are cyber-mature. While 86 percent reported AI-related security incidents last year.
Both experts stressed that cybersecurity and AI strategies must advance together—especially given the region’s shortage of skilled cyber professionals. They reaffirmed a joint commitment to build local skills, foster innovation, and form partnerships that help organisations stay secure.
Andrew Ngunjiri, General Manager – Solutions at NTT DATA East Africa, urged businesses to look past the AI hype and focus on practical value.
“Today’s discussion wasn’t about buzzwords it was about what works.” He said. “High-performing companies that integrate AI across more than half their operations are already seeing higher profits, happier customers, and stronger competitiveness.”
Ngunjiri pointed to manufacturing as a prime East African opportunity. AI can speed product development and tailor offerings to customer feedback.
“Start small, define clear objectives, and build on early wins.” He advised. “AI’s potential is immense, but success depends on a clear vision and a rock-solid cybersecurity foundation.”
As AI adoption accelerates, NTT DATA and Cisco reaffirm their dedication to helping East African enterprises build smarter, safer, and more resilient digital futures.
