Kaspersky’s report highlights the increasing AI-driven cyber threats, banking malware, and cloud security vulnerabilities affecting South African organizations. With data showing an average of 19 reported incidents per year, Kaspersky urges businesses to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures, including enhanced employee training and advanced security solutions, to combat these escalating risks.
Kaspersky has recently published a report detailing the surge of AI-driven cyber threats, an increase in banking malware, and heightened cloud security risks. The report emphasizes the necessity for businesses to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures. In South Africa, organizations reported an average of 19 cyber incidents over the past year, necessitating urgent attention to the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. This was presented at the 25th Cyber Security Summit South Africa held in Johannesburg.
In 2024, Kaspersky identified 467,000 malicious files detected daily worldwide, representing a 14% increase from the previous year. The report noted that 34.2% of its South African users experienced web-borne threats, underscoring the rising risks in the digital environment. Specifically, banking and financial malware surged by 34%, present a significant challenge for financial institutions and consumers, while password stealer detections rose by 14%. The report also indicated a 55% increase in exploit attacks, alongside a 42% spike in backdoor attacks, granting persistent access to compromised systems.
Moreover, the crimeware ecosystem has become increasingly dynamic, with affiliates utilizing a multi-platform strategy. Kaspersky highlighted the Grandoreiro banking trojan, which has expanded from Latin America to Asia and Africa, posing threats to over 1,700 financial institutions and 276 cryptocurrency wallets across 45 international jurisdictions, including several African nations.
Kaspersky experts outlined increasing concerns for companies, particularly the emergence of AI-enhanced cyber threats that enable more sophisticated phishing scams, malware development, and automation of attacks. As businesses increasingly adopt cloud services without adequate security measures, the associated risks have also surged. Furthermore, social engineering techniques exploit human error, remaining a significant cybersecurity vulnerability.
To combat these threats, Kaspersky advocates for a proactive cybersecurity strategy comprising industry and geography-specific threat intelligence, implementation of advanced security solutions, and employee training to mitigate human error risks. Conducting regular threat assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities is crucial for businesses, enabling them to remediate issues before exploitation.
In light of the escalating AI-assisted cybercrime and targeted assaults on businesses, decision-makers must develop a robust security approach. This comprehensive strategy should encompass rigorous cybersecurity solutions, employee education, and an acquisition of threat intelligence to safeguard organizational assets, customer information, and overall reputation amid a perilous digital landscape.
Kaspersky’s findings reveal a troubling rise in AI-driven cyber threats and other malicious activities relevant to South African organizations. With significant increases in banking malware, exploit attacks, and other vulnerabilities, businesses are urged to implement robust cybersecurity strategies. By focusing on threat intelligence, advanced security solutions, and employee training, organizations can enhance their defenses against the evolving cyber landscape and safeguard their assets.
Original Source: techafricanews.com
