NEWS
Africa under siege: NETSCOUT research highlights top local DDoS targets for 1H 2025
NETSCOUT Systems has released its latest global threat intelligence report, revealing that South Africa, Morocco and Kenya were the three most targeted African countries for Distributed Denial of Service( DDoS) attacks in the first half of 2025.
South African sectors take DDoS strain
South Africa ranked as the continent’ s primary hotspot, recording 213,523 DDoS attacks during the six-month period. Several of its industries featured prominently among the most attacked at a global level. These sectors included:
• Insurance agencies and brokerages – first worldwide with 6,680 attacks
• Other computer-related services – first worldwide with 18,243 attacks( Kenya followed in second place with 8,730)
• Portfolio management and investment advice – first worldwide with 1,571 attacks( Kenya again came in second with 720)
• Commercial banking – second worldwide with 4,653 attacks
• Electronics and appliance retailers – third worldwide with 255 attacks
• Electronics computer manufacturing – third worldwide with 525 attacks
• Wireless telecommunications carriers( except satellite) – South Africa ranked fourth globally with 126,551 attacks while Morocco placed tenth with 64,517
The report also showed that Seychelles was positioned as sixth globally for attacks on software publishers( 183) while Nigeria uniquely recorded 108 incidents aimed at beauty salons, the only country in the world to have this sector noted in the report.
Bryan Hamman, Regional Director for Africa at NETSCOUT, said:“ NETSCOUT’ s latest threat intelligence underlines how Africa is firmly in the sights of global cybercriminals.”
Paratus Group expands operations into East Africa
Expansion spans Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, strengthening regional connectivity with fibre backbone and digital infrastructure.
Pan-African telecommunications and network services provider,
Paratus Group, has completed its expansion programme into East Africa as part of ongoing efforts to connect communities and businesses across sub-Equatorial Africa.
Paratus Kenya has been operational since November 2024 as a licensed ISP and authorised Starlink reseller. Rwanda and Uganda have recently launched as ISPs, with Rwanda also providing Starlink services. Tanzania joined in 2025, delivering ISP services to enterprise and wholesale customers. The group supports sectors including retail, transport and logistics, education, health and tourism.
The Paratus East – West fibre route underpins the expansion by creating a terrestrial backbone from Maputo in the East to Swakopmund in the West, interconnecting with the Equiano subsea cable.
“ We now hold operational licenses in key East African markets,” said Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer at Paratus Group.“ Our network and infrastructure enable enterprise and wholesale customers to access reliable, cross-border connectivity within the region and beyond, supporting their digital operations and growth.”
“ You can’ t trade if you can’ t connect. We’ re providing the infrastructure and delivering 24 / 7 connectivity across borders to enable businesses to thrive in the digital age. Our role in building East Africa’ s digital highways is as vital today as the traditional trade routes were centuries ago. Trade is in the DNA of the region, and the key to unlocking it now lies in the region’ s Digital Transformation and capabilities.” p
12 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www. intelligentcio. com