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Global Report Places Mozambique Among the Main Targets of Cyberattacks on the Digital Sector

Global Report Places Mozambique Among the Main Targets of Cyberattacks on the Digital Sector

Mozambique ranks among the most targeted countries by cyberattacks in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in Africa, according to the latest global report from NETSCOUT, a company specializing in cybersecurity and digital traffic analysis.

The report, covering the second half of 2024, reveals that four of the five countries most attacked globally in the category of “other computer related services” are African, with Mozambique ranking fifth, following South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia. The United States is the only non-African country in this select group.

Additionally, Mozambique also stands out as a target of cyberattacks in the satellite telecommunications category, another critical area for the country’s digital infrastructure. The report highlights the growing trend of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, which involve overwhelming servers or networks to render them unavailable.
“Analysis reveals that the ICT sector in Africa, including Mozambique, is becoming one of the most active fronts both for economic growth and digital criminal activity,” said Bryan Hamman, NETSCOUT’s regional director for Africa.

Globally, the telecommunications and IT sectors dominated the ranking of the ten most attacked sectors in 2024, both worldwide and in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). At the top of the list are telecommunications operators—both wired and wireless—computing infrastructure providers, data hosting services, and web services.

In Africa, Mozambique joins South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Liberia as one of the main epicenters of cyberattacks on information systems and digital platforms.

According to the report, the motives behind the attacks range from geopolitical pressures to extortion through digital ransom, affecting not only the stability of technological infrastructures but also the confidence of investors and users.

Hamman warns that with the increasing involvement of telecom operators in financial services and mobile payments, telecommunications companies are no longer merely connectivity providers but central players in the economic and digital ecosystem, making them even more attractive targets for cybercriminal groups.

The report recommends that African states and companies in the sector strengthen their cybersecurity systems by implementing incident response plans, real-time monitoring, and access to global threat intelligence platforms such as the NETSCOUT Cyber Threat Horizon.

Mozambique, which has been investing in digitalizing its economy and expanding electronic services, now faces the urgent challenge of protecting its critical systems, especially as the number of users of digital services, mobile platforms, and cloud-based operations grows.

Mozambique’s position in the report underscores the urgent need for robust investments in cybersecurity, specialized training, and appropriate legislation that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving threats in the African digital environment.

Source: Diário Económico

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