How is AI changing Africa’s cybersecurity?

As Africa advances in its digital transformation, cybercriminals are evolving in sophistication, leveraging AI to execute more strategic and effective attacks, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) strikes

Bryan Hamman, regional director for Africa at NETSCOUT, highlighted, “We're witnessing AI not just as a defence mechanism but also as a potential threat amplifier. The adoption of machine learning allows adversaries to automate reconnaissance and tailor attacks at extraordinary scale.”

AI: Shield or sword?

Across many African nations, the rapid pace of digital adoption is outstripping cybersecurity developments, leaving businesses, governments, and individuals increasingly vulnerable. Hamman warns that without proactive security measures, local organisations face AI-driven threats such as malware bypassing traditional defences, hyper-personalised phishing campaigns, and significantly reduced response windows.

"AI can be a double-edged sword, and African businesses must ensure they leverage its benefits for better protection, while steering clear of the darker side of AI by staying a step ahead of attackers," he advises. Generative AI (GenAI) is amplifying cyberthreats in several ways, including:

Enhanced social engineering:

• Creating more realistic and unique phishing emails.
• Mimicking voices in audio messages to deceive targets.

Image and video manipulation:

• Deepfake images are capable of bypassing biometric facial recognition when executed correctly.

Scaling cyberattacks:

• AI automation enables cybercriminals to expand their attack scope with greater efficiency.
• Automated phishing campaigns can target more individuals within an organisation, increasing the likelihood of infiltration.

Additionally, AI-driven DDoS attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with threat actors using AI to refine botnet behaviour and optimise target selection, making these attacks more damaging and harder to mitigate.

NETSCOUT urges organisations to remain vigilant by investing in AI-powered security solutions and promoting cybersecurity awareness through continuous training. "The key lies in not just reacting to threats, but pre-empting them," Hamman concluded. “As African markets grow, robust, AI-driven cybersecurity strategies will become increasingly crucial to ensuring that digital innovation is secure and sustainable.”