Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 97 | Page 14

NEWS

Graham Khan

RISE , a provider of prepaid , uncapped Internet access in underserved communities . By providing robust and reliable fibre optic infrastructure , Frogfoot ensures that BareMetal has access to high-speed , scalable Internet that can help the company continue to grow while meeting the evolving needs of their customers . Having a dedicated customer support team always on hand to address any issues quickly and efficiently , helps BareMetal minimise downtime and maintain a seamless experience for their end-users .

By integrating fibre into its service portfolio , BareMetal has significantly enhanced its service delivery , while being able to offer high-speed , reliable connectivity has broadened the company ’ s client base and solidified its position as a key player in the digital landscape .

“ Transitioning from a Wireless Internet Service Provider to a Fibre Internet Service Provider has been a transformative shift for BareMetal , largely due to our partnership with Frogfoot RISE . The robust infrastructure , technical support , and access to previously unattainable customers has allowed us to scale our offerings ,” says Graham Khan , CTO at BareMetal .

“ This collaboration with Frogfoot has allowed us to bridge the digital divide in remote areas that were previously neglected . The benefits extend beyond just connectivity , as local businesses can now thrive , students have reliable access to online learning , and essential services are more easily accessible through the power of high-speed Internet .”

The growth seen as a result of this transition has also empowered BareMetal to make a tangible positive impact on local communities through the creation of numerous employment opportunities , both directly within the company and through partnerships with local organisations . This includes a focus on upskilling community members by providing training in areas such as fibre sales , support procedures , customer support , and even technical maintenance .

Maya Horowitz

Maya Horowitz , VP of Research at Check Point Software , commented on the findings . “ The latest trends in cybercrime underscore the importance of vigilance and innovation in cybersecurity . Organisations must leverage advanced threat prevention measures to protect themselves against the evolving landscape of sophisticated attacks .”

Ethiopia retained its top spot as the most attacked country with a 98.2 % Normalised Risk Index out of the 106 countries featured in the Index .

Other African countries featured in the top 20 are :

• Uganda at 8th place with a Normalised Risk Index of 68,2 .

• Angola at 9th place with a Normalised Risk Index of 66,2 .

• Ghana at 11th position with a Normalised Risk Index of 62,7 .

• Nigeria at 13th position with a Normalised Risk Index of 62,3 , not too far from Ghana .

• Kenya ’ s Normalised Risk Index has increased since last month , moving from position 20 to 17 with a Normalised Risk Index of 57,6 .

• Mozambique comes in at position 18 with a Normalised Risk Index of 56,9 .

• In 20th position with a higher Normalised Risk Index than last month is Cote d ’ Ivoire with 55,6 .

In December , the malware focus was on the rise due to FunkSec , an emerging ransomware-as-a-service , RaaS operator leveraging Artificial Intelligence , alongside persistent threats from malware families like FakeUpdates and AgentTesla . Data from ransomware shame sites reveals FunkSec as the most active group in December , responsible for 14 % of all published attacks .

Linked to Algeria , FunkSec appears driven by financial gain and hacktivist ideologies , with its AI-assisted tactics pointing to the increasing use of advanced technologies in cybercrime .

14 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com