FEATURE: IDENTITY AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT

As African enterprises expand digitally, outdated access models and cumbersome user experiences are becoming liabilities. A new survey reveals how identity could be the key or the barrier to long-term resilience.

This result highlights a gap between perception and protection. In the digital realm, identity is no longer just a backend IT issue; it has become the main attack route. Credentials, once compromised, are the easiest way for threat actors to gain access and the hardest to detect.

Okta’ s approach here is proactive: from Zero Trust awareness campaigns to regional audits and executive workshops, the organisation is helping leaders understand that identity-first security is no longer a luxury; it’ s essential.

Confidence is high, but is it misplaced?

However, behind the scenes, a much more difficult problem to solve with code alone looms: cybersecurity.

Almost 30 % of respondents feel very confident in their current cyberdefences, while another 18 % are not that confident. Although this sounds promising, closer examination reveals an unsettling truth: several security programmes are cobbled together.

Multi-Factor Authentication may be enabled, but policies remain unchanged. Systems may be upgraded, but access remains decentralised. It’ s easy to feel secure with a few technical boxes ticked, yet these gaps leave organisations vulnerable.

A new CXO Priorities survey, conducted in collaboration with Okta, examines how organisations across Africa are managing this crucial issue. Drawing from insights provided by 30 senior leaders from sectors including finance, government and telecommunications, among others, the findings illustrate a continent full of potential – but also one struggling with identity sprawl, outdated security frameworks and varying levels of cyber-readiness.

A region on the move but at risk

Despite widespread digitalisation, many organisations across the continent still rely on outdated perimeter-based security frameworks. Nearly half of surveyed leaders( 48 %) express concern about identity-based attacks – a clear sign that awareness is increasing. However, worryingly, 26 % report having no concern whatsoever.

Okta helps shift this mindset from tactical to strategic. Through maturity modelling and identity risk-scoring, it enables African businesses to develop resilience by design, rather than reacting to issues.

When security blocks work, it backfires

For nearly 35 % of leaders in Africa, overly restrictive access controls cause daily friction, delaying workflows and prompting users to seek risky workarounds. It’ s a typical example of security hindering productivity. When people are unable to perform their jobs, security policies tend to break down.

Several of these challenges arise from static policies, controls that do not adapt to risk levels, devices, locations or even the time of day. Okta’ s adaptive

24 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www. intelligentcio. com