Studies have shown that global cyber attacks on cloud-based systems have surged recently, with losses amounting to billions of dollars annually.
Africa isn’t immune to these growing challenges. Cyberattacks on businesses across Africa are increasing alarmingly, making cybersecurity a crucial priority for businesses.
In fact, Africa faces significant cybersecurity challenges, losing $4 billion annually to cybercrime, equivalent to 10% of its GDP, amid a surge in cyber-attacks by over 20% in the past year alone. As cyberattacks continue to rise across Africa, data protection skills are urgently needed, with 90% of businesses lacking cybersecurity measures.
As of February 2023, a report by African Business shows that approximately 90% of African
businesses were operating without cybersecurity protocols, making them increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats like hacking, phishing and malware attacks.
The escalating wave of cyber-attacks, including ransomware attacks, third-party breaches, phishing incidents, and insider-enabled threats, has raised significant concerns for organisations across the continent.
Today, Africa, more broadly, faces a growing 100,000-person gap in the number of certified cybersecurity professionals.
Manasseh Mmadu, a Site Reliability Engineer and cloud expert, is not just a passive observer of the cybersecurity challenges in Africa.
He is actively taking steps to educate African companies on the importance of cybersecurity, aiming to minimise risks and identify major vulnerabilities.
In the fight for cloud security, Manasseh is an advocate for the principle of least privilege. This means granting users and services the bare minimum access they need to function.
Imagine a hacker breaches a low-level account. With the least privilege in place, their reach is contained, like a fire limited by a firewall.
Conversely, an overly permissive system grants an attacker free rein, potentially leading to a catastrophic data breach.
The least privilege shrinks the potential damage, making it a crucial tool for securing your cloud environment.
His efforts are improving data security and resilience, driving down incident rates, and safeguarding vital assets.
“I also believe that robust infrastructures are essential in protecting confidential data and defending companies against malicious cyberattacks,” says Manasseh.
Manasseh’s expertise in cybersecurity and cloud computing is not limited to Africa. He currently manages infrastructures that enable data security, prevent cyberattacks, build digital defences, and optimise operational performance for leading tech giants across the globe.
As a certified AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud expert, his in-depth knowledge of cloud computing allows him to navigate the intricacies of modern IT environments with precision and finesse, significantly impacting the global tech industry.
Manasseh demonstrates his ability to develop innovative solutions and build robust
infrastructures based on his experiences at major organisations like Deimos in South Africa, Ovice in Japan, and currently at Zapier.
“My role extends beyond mere maintenance; I actively build tools and services to streamline developer procedures, improve the developer experience overall and increase the reliability of the applications I manage,” he explained.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Manasseh is a staunch advocate for mentorship and community empowerment, equipping young developers across Africa with the technical and soft skills necessary to match or advance their careers in STEM.
“I’m committed to developing the future generation of technologists to pursue careers in tech,” he affirmed. The mentorship programs have yielded tangible results, with mentees reporting enhanced technical skills, increased confidence, and improved career prospects. By sharing his expertise and guiding aspiring developers, Manasseh Mmadu is nurturing the next generation of tech talent and fostering an ecosystem of creativity and collaboration.
While the continent needs more than lip services to catch up with its global counterparts. Manasseh also argues that despite these existential threats, the private sector is beginning to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure and talent.
As Africa adopts new technologies like cloud computing and AI, there’s a heightened need for comprehensive cybersecurity policies.
In the fast-paced world of technology, Manasseh Mmadu ‘s unwavering pursuit of excellence and
relentless dedication to data security is shaping the future of companies globally by safeguarding sensitive data in the cloud and empowering teams to thrive in an evolving digital landscape.
