Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

Kaspersky’s (www.Kaspersky.co.za) Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT) reveals key cyber threat trends for the first half of 2026 at the recent Cyber Security Weekend for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa region (META).

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, cyberthreats are becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with ongoing geopolitical and economic instability, is contributing to the rise of cybercrime and the growing complexity of cyberattacks.

According to Kaspersky’s telemetry, online threats exploiting vulnerabilities in websites, emails and web services continued to affect millions of users across the META region during the first half of 2026. Specifically, Kaspersky detection systems stopped 5,7M attacks from various online resources in South Africa, 4,5M in Kenya and 1,6M in Nigeria.

Turkiye recorded the highest percentage of users affected by web-based threats at 22.8%, followed by Kenya (21.2%), Qatar (19.3%), Nigeria (18.4%) and South Africa (17.2%). In contrast, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Pakistan registered the lowest share of users targeted by web-borne attacks in the region.

AI is transforming attacker operations

Kaspersky experts report that threat actors are increasingly integrating AI into different stages of their operations. Large language models are already being used to generate phishing emails, malicious code and supporting operational content.

AI is also beginning to play a larger role in malware development. Modern language models are capable of generating substantial portions of malicious software, from initial code scaffolding to functional modules. Researchers have already observed AI-assisted malware development in campaigns linked to the FunkSec group, which deployed Rust-based malware capable of data theft, encryption and process manipulation. Similarly, during the RevengeHotels campaign in 2025, threat actors used large language models to generate portions of the infector and downloader code.

“We expect AI to remain one of the key factors shaping the threat landscape in 2026, as we already see how it is reshaping attacker workflows and accelerating their operations,” said Sergey Lozhkin, Head of Global Research and Analysis Team in APAC and META regions at Kaspersky. “By lowering the time and cost required to develop and adapt malicious tools, AI allows threat actors to iterate faster and scale their efforts. Defenders should be prepared for quicker shifts in tactics.”

Emerging trends shaping the cyber threat landscape

In addition to the growing use of AI by cybercriminals, Kaspersky experts identified several trends that organisations should monitor closely:

• AI-driven malware evolution: generative models can rewrite malware in different languages or architectures, making malicious code harder to detect, and faster to deploy at scale.
• Cloud-based data exfiltration: attackers increasingly route stolen data through legitimate cloud and file-sharing services to blend in with normal traffic.
• Ransomware targeting operations: some groups disrupt production and business processes, not just encrypt data, to increase pressure for payment.
• AI agents as persistence mechanisms: some AI agent solutions are granted broad or even full system access. If compromised, attackers could modify the system prompt or the agent’s configuration, for example, causing it to download a payload on every startup.
• Malicious AI skills become a new attack vector: as AI agents gain broader access to enterprise systems, attackers start to exploit compromised skills to manipulate agent behaviour, steal sensitive data, execute unauthorised actions, and establish persistent access. This creates a new layer of risk where trusted AI tools can be turned into powerful mechanisms for cyberattacks.

As cyberthreats continue to evolve alongside emerging technologies, Kaspersky recommends that organisations strengthen their cybersecurity posture through continuous vulnerability management, timely patching, employee awareness training, threat intelligence, and advanced security solutions like Kaspersky Next (https://apo-opa.co/4xbceIX), capable of detecting sophisticated and AI-assisted attacks.

– on behalf of Kaspersky.

For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
nicole@inkandco.co.za

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About Kaspersky:
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Innovating the industry with a Cyber Immunity approach, Kaspersky safeguards consumers, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments from cyberthreats, with over a billion devices protected to date. Kaspersky ensures Cybersecurity True to Business, focusing on providing clear outcomes, protecting revenue, easing workloads and preventing downtime. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services for organizations of every size, from small businesses to large enterprises, combining proven AI-driven protection technologies with simple management and expert support. Recognized in independent tests and trusted by millions of individuals worldwide and nearly 200,000 organizations, Kaspersky helps detect threats earlier, respond faster and operate with greater confidence and freedom, protecting what matters most to our clients. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za. 

Source: APO

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As AI reshapes global energy systems, African operators are looking towards cloud computing, advanced analytics and connected infrastructure to improve production, modernize power networks and strengthen operational resilience.

Against this backdrop, the Microsoft Masterclass: AI & Data Adoption for African Energy Companies, taking place during the Renegade Intel platform at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16 – will examine how Microsoft Azure can accelerate digital transformation across Africa’s upstream, power and renewable energy industries. Led by Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Energy Darryl Willis and industry leaders, the session will provide practical guidance for companies seeking to integrate AI into day-to-day operations.

From Data to Intelligent Operations

In upstream oil and gas, cloud-based analytics and edge computing are enabling operators to process production data in real time, predict equipment failures and optimize drilling performance. High-performance computing on Azure is also accelerating seismic processing and basin modeling, helping explorers evaluate emerging opportunities such as the Orange Basin more effectively.

The growing relationship between energy infrastructure and digital investment is already visible across the continent. Earlier this month, the City of Cape Town approved the construction of two hyperscale data centers with a combined planned electricity demand of 174 MW. Designed to support AI computing and cloud services, the facilities highlight how data centers are becoming long-term baseload consumers, driving investment in grid modernization, dedicated energy wheeling and more resilient electricity infrastructure.

By integrating predictive analytics with smart meters and connected infrastructure, grid operators can anticipate transmission constraints, improve power wheeling and balance electricity generation from gas, hydro and renewable energy sources.

Cloud platforms are also supporting Africa’s energy transition. Azure Data Manager for Energy enables standardized carbon accounting and emissions reporting, helping companies strengthen ESG compliance and improve access to international financing. At the same time, virtual power plants are allowing distributed solar and battery assets to operate as coordinated systems, improving grid stability while supporting regional electricity markets.

As such, the masterclass is set to examine how localized Azure environments support compliance with national data sovereignty requirements while Microsoft Sentinel and Azure Defender for IoT help secure industrial control systems, smart grids and critical energy infrastructure.

Accelerating Africa’s Digital Energy Future

The session will also outline a practical roadmap for Azure adoption, demonstrating how organizations can progress from consolidating operational data and migrating legacy systems to deploying connected IoT platforms, advanced analytics and AI-enabled automation.

The discussion comes as investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure continues to accelerate. In July, Cassava Technologies, through Africa Data Centres and Liquid C2, designated its Johannesburg facility as a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location, strengthening regional cloud connectivity and supporting the growing demand for AI-ready digital infrastructure.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming every part of the energy value chain, from exploration and production to electricity delivery and infrastructure management. The Microsoft Masterclass will provide practical insights into how African energy companies can deploy these technologies to improve performance, strengthen resilience and support long-term growth,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

By bringing together energy companies, technology providers, investors and policymakers, the Microsoft Masterclass will demonstrate how AI and cloud technologies are enabling a more connected, efficient and resilient African energy sector while supporting the infrastructure needed to power the continent’s digital economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO

For years, Sidi Haidara believed female genital mutilation (FGM) was simply part of life.

Like many people in his community in central Mali, he saw it as a tradition passed down through generations—one that should be preserved.

Today, he walks from village to village with a very different message: no tradition should come at the expense of a girl’s health, rights or future.

His story goes beyond one man’s personal transformation. Across West and Central Africa, female genital mutilation remains deeply rooted in several countries. Mali has one of the highest prevalence rates in the region, with an estimated 89 per cent of women having undergone the practice. In places where social norms are deeply entrenched, change often begins with trusted voices from within the community.

“I used to believe that this practice was part of our traditions and needed to be preserved,” he says.

Nothing suggested that he would one day become one of the people advocating for its abandonment.

His perspective began to change after taking part in training sessions, workshops and community dialogues organized through the Men and Boys as Agents of Change project, implemented by UN Women with financial support from the Government of Germany. As he listened to different experiences and learned about the physical, psychological and social consequences of FGM, he began questioning beliefs he had never challenged before. He also came to understand that lasting change cannot simply be imposed—it grows through dialogue, trust and community ownership.

“The trainings supported by UN Women with the support of Germany transformed my understanding of female genital mutilation. I learned about the physical, psychological and social consequences that this practice imposes on girls. Today, I regularly organize awareness-raising sessions with families, religious leaders, young people and women,” he explains.

Today, Sidi spends much of his time talking with parents, religious leaders, young people and women across his community. Rather than telling people what to think, he encourages conversations about what it means to protect girls and challenges long-held beliefs through dialogue.

Little by little, those conversations are making a difference.

“I can see change: more parents are asking questions, several families are abandoning female genital mutilation and discussions about protecting girls have become more open. I am convinced that protecting girls today means investing in the future of our entire community.”

Sidi’s journey is part of a broader movement taking place across the regions of Mopti and Gao. With support from the Government of Germany, UN Women works alongside religious and traditional leaders, women, young people and committed men to lead community-driven initiatives that prevent violence against women and girls and challenge harmful social norms.

To date, fifty community initiatives have been implemented across the two regions, while eight community dialogue platforms provide spaces for people to discuss girls’ rights, their protection and ways to prevent gender-based violence.

For Sidi, abandoning a harmful practice is about more than leaving a tradition behind. It is about giving girls the opportunity to grow up safely, stay in school and shape their own futures.

His journey shows that some of the most meaningful changes happen when those who once upheld harmful social norms become the people helping transform them.

Sidi Haidara knows traditions do not change overnight. But every conversation creates an opportunity for reflection. Every family that chooses to protect its daughters helps write a different future from the one generations before them inherited.

In Mopti and Gao, these conversations are showing that lasting change does not always begin with a new law or policy. More often, it begins when communities themselves decide to imagine a different future for their girls.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.