According to ESET, the campaign appears to be part of North Korea’s broader effort to advance its drone program by stealing proprietary designs, engineering data, and manufacturing know-how from foreign defense contractors.

“Some of the targeted companies are deeply involved in the UAV sector, suggesting that this operation may be linked to North Korea’s current efforts to scale up its drone capabilities,” ESET said in its latest analysis.

Targets and Techniques

Beginning in late March 2025, ESET telemetry detected a string of cyberattacks against three European defense companies, a metal engineering firm in Southeastern Europe, a manufacturer of aircraft components in Central Europe, and a defense company also based in Central Europe.

Investigations revealed that the attackers relied on social engineering tactics typical of the Operation DreamJob campaign, including fake job offers and trojanized open-source projects hosted on GitHub.

Once access was gained, the attackers deployed a remote access trojan (RAT) known as ScoringMathTea, granting them full control of compromised machines.

ESET noted that ScoringMathTea first appeared in late 2022, when its dropper was uploaded to VirusTotal, and has since been repeatedly observed in multiple Lazarus-linked intrusions. The malware communicates with command-and-control servers hosted on compromised WordPress websites, often hidden within plugin or design template folders.

Lazarus’ Espionage Goals

The Lazarus Group, one of the most active and sophisticated state-sponsored threat actors associated with North Korea, has a history of cyberespionage and financially motivated attacks.

Under the Operation DreamJob codename, Lazarus typically targets professionals in the aerospace, defense, engineering, and technology sectors, using enticing job offers to lure victims into installing malware.

While the group’s primary goal remains cyberespionage, stealing sensitive and proprietary data, the secondary objective often includes financial gain through digital theft or cryptocurrency-related exploits.

ESET’s researchers believe the most recent campaign demonstrates a renewed focus on the UAV sector, as two of the targeted firms are directly engaged in drone component manufacturing and UAV software development.

“Technical artifacts in the attackers’ droppers reinforce the hypothesis that the UAV sector was the main espionage goal,” ESET stated.

Geopolitical Implications

The findings add to growing evidence that North Korea’s cyber operations are increasingly intertwined with its military modernization programs, particularly in the drone and missile domains.

With European defense firms playing a key role in supplying military technology and equipment to Ukraine, experts warn that such cyberattacks could have strategic and geopolitical consequences.

ESET’s report offers a high-level overview of the Lazarus Group’s latest tools and methods while calling attention to the need for stronger cyber defense collaboration across the defense and aerospace sectors.

An extract of ESET’s full “Network API 2025–2030 Report” is available for free download on the company’s website.

More about Operation DreamJob

Operation DreamJob is the codename for an ongoing series of Lazarus campaigns that use fake job recruitment schemes to compromise targets.

These attacks often begin with LinkedIn or email outreach, delivering malicious documents or project files disguised as legitimate opportunities.

The Lazarus Group, believed to operate under the direction of the North Korean government, has been linked to numerous cyberattacks worldwide, including the Sony Pictures hack (2014), the WannaCry ransomware outbreak (2017), and several cryptocurrency heists targeting global exchanges.

Responding to these recent revelations of global cyberespionage campaigns by ESET, Olufemi Ake, managing director of ESET Nigeria, has raised concerns over the growing vulnerability in the defense ecosystem, going by the current state of security in the region, particularly West Africa.

“It is an attractive region for cyberattacks,” Ake stated. “With the increasing digital connectivity, expansion of defence partnerships, and emergence as a numerous tech innovation hub, individuals are now seen as potential entry points for both direct cyber threats and indirect access to global supply chains as it relates to the security situation in certain pocket areas.”

He identified several sectors currently at heightened risk, including government agencies or institutions with large data of citizens, key sectors in partnership with the government, holding sensitive intellectual properties, such as engineering and technology firms, critical infrastructure operators such as power, telecommunications, and finance, as well as the defence, aerospace, and media industries.

To mitigate these risks, Ake emphasised the importance of integrating cybersecurity awareness training into employee onboarding processes.

He urged organisations to prioritise the education of staff, the deployment of robust device protection, and the implementation of advanced threat detection systems, alongside regular system updates.

These, he noted, are essential strategies to maintain resilience and stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.

In a broader appeal, Ake called on West African nations to treat cybersecurity as a strategic imperative at the helm of affairs.

“As countries across the region continue their digital transformation journeys, cyber resilience must be made a top priority,” he said. “Achieving this will require regional collaboration, sustained awareness campaigns, and long-term investment in cybersecurity capacity- building to safeguard national interests, economic growth, and public trust in digital systems.”

Cybercrime will cost the global economy an estimated $10.5 trillion this year. Phishing attacks have surged over 4000% since 2022, cloud intrusions are up 75%, and only 4% of organisations feel confident in the security of their connected devices. 

Meanwhile, 66% of companies believe AI and machine learning will impact the sustainability of cybersecurity, but less than 40% have the systems in place to assess the risks of those very tools.

The threat is beyond technical; it’s human. The cybersecurity workforce gap has widened to over 4.1 million unfilled roles globally, and Africa alone faces a shortage of more than 3.5 million skilled professionals. 

In Nigeria, over 68,000 cybersecurity roles are vacant, an issue worsened by migration and insufficient training pipelines.

The situation is compounded by digital illiteracy in the country, regulatory gaps, and a talent exodus driven by the ongoing Japa wave. However, despite this challenge, a guard of cybersecurity leaders are not relenting.

These ten personalities are building companies that secure mobile payments and smart homes, they’re impacting policy frameworks, training armies of young professionals, and leading cross-border collaborations. 

This list is a look into the minds ensuring the global cybersecurity revolution in 2025. Be it Lagos, London, or Nairobi, their impact is unmistakable, cutting across sectors, banking, energy, e-commerce, public safety and continents.

Let’s meet the top ten personalities, not limited to these, driving cybersecurity resilience in 2025.

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1. Confidence Staveley: The Relatable Cybersecurity Leader

Beyond a cybersecurity expert, Confidence Staveley is a movement. Her name has become synonymous with resilience, inclusion, and strategy in Nigeria’s digital security sector. 

Staveley is the founder of CyberSafe Foundation and MerkleFence, leading with conviction and vision; building secure-by-design systems and empowering the next generation of African cybersecurity professionals.

Her journey spans over a decade of building secure products, embedding security deep into development lifecycles, and leading high-performing teams across continents. She’s both a theorist and a doer, integrating automated security into CI/CD pipelines, publishing the bestselling book API Security for White Hat Hackers, and delivering results, raising the bar.

Through CyberGirls Fellowship, Africa’s largest female-focused cybersecurity training initiative, Confidence opens doors for young women who might otherwise be excluded from the tech revolution. She mentors, she teaches, and she amplifies voices that matter.

Her recognition includes SC Media’s Women in IT Security Power Player, Cybersecurity Woman of the World, and Top 40 Global Thought Leader in Security and Safety, among others. Her superpower isn’t just the certifications or accolades, but her ability to make security human, accessible, and empowering. When she says she’s “The Relatable CyberSecurity Leader,” it’s not just branding, it’s truth.

2. Professor Obadare Peter Adewale: Nigeria’s First Cybersecurity Professor and Visionary Technopreneur

Professor Obadare Peter Adewale is a name you’ll find etched into Nigeria’s cybersecurity history. A pioneer and one of the continent’s most credentialled cybersecurity leaders, Obadare combines academia, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy with unmatched precision.

As the Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode, Obadare has spent over two decades helping institutions navigate the highly technical and rapidly changing cybersecurity ecosystem. His expertise spans penetration testing, risk management, GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), digital forensics, and AI governance. 

He holds elite global credentials and fellowships, including with the British Computer Society, Forbes Technology Council, and as Africa’s first EC-Council Licensed Pen Tester.

In 2024, he was appointed Nigeria’s first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity, a role that bridges the gap between classroom theory and industry reality. Through this position at Miva Open University, he brings real-world exposure into academia, helping produce a new generation of industry-ready professionals.

His work on AI governance at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Governance, combined with certifications from Oxford, Harvard, and MIT, stressed his relentless pursuit of innovation and relevance. 

From designing ISO-compliant security architectures to mentoring C-level executives, Obadare is not just part of the cybersecurity revolution; he helped start it.

His current projects, including AI risk management frameworks and digital sovereignty initiatives, have implications far beyond Nigeria. They position him as a global authority on digital trust and national cyber resilience. In Obadare, Nigeria has a cybersecurity leader and a visionary building bridges to the future.

3. Peter Ejiofor: Building Resilience from the Ground Up

Peter Ejiofor is the embodiment of locally-grown innovation in Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem. As CEO of Ethnos IT Solutions, he has created one of the most respected indigenous cybersecurity firms on the continent, rooted in technical excellence, community engagement, and strategic foresight.

Ejiofor’s career spans two decades of enterprise-level cybersecurity architecture, particularly in financial services and telecoms. But what sets him apart is his focus on making cybersecurity accessible and affordable, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the most vulnerable segment in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Under his leadership, Ethnos developed Aquila, an AI-driven mobile app that scans and secures devices for SMEs, and Castellum, a next-gen encryption framework tailored for African businesses. These tools are not theoretical, they’re already changing how companies approach security.

Beyond tools, Ejiofor invests in talent. Through the Ethnos Cybersecurity Academy, he trains beginners and career switchers, providing them with hands-on, practical skills that go beyond theory. 

His commitment to demystifying cybersecurity has led to real impact, clients prepared for compliance audits, SMEs winning contracts thanks to improved security posture, and graduates joining elite security teams.

He’s also a respected certified ISO/IEC 27001 auditor and senior pen tester, and a member of leading African cybersecurity associations. When Zenith Bank showcased Aquila and Castellum at its Tech Fair, it went beyond a product launch to show how local expertise can deliver world-class solutions.

4. Innocent Paul Ojo: Building Cybersecurity Where IT Meets OT

Few professionals navigate as fluidly between IT and operational technology (OT) environments as Innocent Paul Ojo. A rare blend of strategist, analyst, and researcher, Innocent brings together real-world execution and academic rigour into one streamlined career focused on securing systems where the digital converges with the physical.

As the founder of CoreDefense, Innocent is redefining how cybersecurity is approached holistically and contextually. Whether it’s securing smart factories, industrial control systems, or fintech APIs, he’s known for designing and implementing end-to-end security architectures that go far beyond baseline protections.

At Persimmon Homes, he worked closely with OT stakeholders to improve the cybersecurity posture of smart factory assets. From hardening programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and securing building automation systems to deploying network segmentation, asset visibility tools like Nozomi Networks, and SIEM integrations using Splunk, Innocent helped reduce detection and incident triage time by over 60%. His approach: fusing security-by-design with deep visibility across the operational stack.

But it’s not just the technologies he uses, Wireshark, Ghidra, PE-bear, Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Azure Lighthouse, Kali Linux, and Tenable Nessus, it’s how he uses them that distinguishes his work. His detailed work in threat modelling, subdomain takeover testing, firmware analysis, and network protocol dissection has earned him trust in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and industrial manufacturing.

Innocent brings clarity to complexity, aligning controls with frameworks like NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and DORA, ensuring governance and compliance objectives are met with technical precision and strategic foresight.

Certified by ISC2 and CompTIA, Innocent’s work reflects a force-multiplier mindset, fusing technical excellence with leadership and execution.

Whether volunteering with the Centre for Cyber Safety and Education, mentoring emerging talent, or performing red team-style assessments at fintech platforms like CreditCliq, Innocent demonstrates an unwavering commitment to uplifting the cybersecurity community while building secure, resilient systems.

He’s not just participating in the cybersecurity revolution; he’s helping engineer its foundation, particularly where traditional infrastructure meets cloud-native and cyber-physical systems.

5. Timmy Iwoni: The Cross-Sector Engineer Turning Cybersecurity Into Solutions

Timmy Iwoni is a cybersecurity expert and a builder—of systems, teams, and companies. He is CEO of Reconnaissance Technologies, where he leads one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing tech firms at the cutting edge of digital defence, artificial intelligence, and fintech infrastructure.

What makes Timmy’s journey commendable is his ability to move seamlessly across sectors. He’s as comfortable talking about AI-powered CRMs like Nebula as he is explaining penetration testing protocols. Under his leadership, Reconnaissance launched secure platforms like AgoPay and Fricana Mart, products that merge security-first fintech and e-commerce into everyday solutions.

Trained in Computer Engineering (JAIN College, India) and Chemical Engineering (FUT Yola), Timmy blends analytical rigour with technical depth. His early years managing IT infrastructure at BOSIP Enterprises and later leading software development at ISF Technologies, India, shaped a mindset focused on resilience, optimisation, and usability.

His secret? A vision that scales. Timmy doesn’t isolate cybersecurity from innovation; he integrates it, embedding security into product design and cloud systems from day one. His work helps SMEs and corporates alike avoid vulnerabilities without sacrificing performance.

Timmy is part of a new generation of cybersecurity leaders in Nigeria: problem solvers and solution builders, rooted in code, powered by strategy, and driven by purpose.

6. Abdulqudus Isa: Driving Cybersecurity Transformation

Abdulqudus Isa is a leading voice in cybersecurity, renowned for bridging the gap between cyber risk strategy and real-world implementation.

With a strong background in Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Governance, and IT Audit, Abdulqudus has been instrumental in helping organizations build resilient digital infrastructures, particularly within regulated industries like banking, insurance, fintech, and energy.

At KPMG Nigeria, Abdulqudus Isa served within the Cyber and Privacy Advisory unit, helping clients navigate the complexities of digital transformation while staying secure and compliant.

His work ranged across: Cybersecurity Assessments & Audits; ISO 27001 and NIST Compliance Implementation; IT General Controls (ITGC) Testing; Cloud and Application Security Reviews; Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning, and .Vulnerability and Threat Management Frameworks

His KPMG experience positioned him as a trusted advisor to large corporations seeking guidance on end-to-end cyber risk governance and digital trust.

Abdulqudus holds multiple industry-recognized certifications and has deep technical fluency in frameworks such as: ISO 27001; NIST CSF; PCI-DSS; SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP), and Microsoft Security tools & environments.

He also holds a degree in Engineering and has consistently upskilled across cybersecurity trends including cloud security, penetration testing, and risk analysis.

With a deep understanding of attacker tactics and evolving threat landscapes, Abdulqudus Isa represents a new generation of cybersecurity professionals who combine policy-level governance with frontline threat intelligence. He is known for crafting proactive strategies that help organizations predict, prevent, and respond to cybersecurity threats.

His influence is felt across boardrooms and operational security teams alike, as he drives awareness, compliance, and resilience in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber risks.

7. Dr. Basil Udotai: The Strategist Who Wrote Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Playbook

When the conversation turns to the architects of Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework, Dr. Basil Udotai is impossible to overlook. He is a huge part of the digital security conversation and helped write its earliest chapters.

As the pioneer Director of Cybersecurity at Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Dr. Udotai was key in establishing the very Directorate for Cybersecurity, an office now central to Nigeria’s defence against digital threats. 

His legal background, paired with deep policy insight, gave him a unique ability to design protections and entire governance structures for national cybersecurity.

Before entering the policy arena, Dr. Udotai was General Counsel and Legal Adviser at NITDA, where he helped drive the implementation of the National IT Policy. This dual fluency, in law and technology, is rare, making him one of the most trusted advisors in Nigeria’s cyber policy circles.

Today, as Managing Partner at Technology Advisors LLP, he consults for both government and enterprise clients, shaping digital transformation and compliance strategies across industries. His legal precision makes him a go-to figure for navigating cybercrime laws, data protection regulations, and emerging tech risks.

Dr. Udotai is a key voice at international conferences, including the National Cybersecurity Conference 2025, where his contributions to Nigeria’s digital resilience strategy were widely acknowledged.

His legacy is in laying the foundation. While others manage cyber risk, Dr. Basil Udotai helped define what that risk means for a nation. Beyond being a part of Nigeria’s cybersecurity revolution, he was there at its inception.

8. Dr. Vincent Olatunji: Bridging Data Protection and Cybersecurity for National Impact

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, as the National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), leads a mission that sits at the heart of Nigeria’s digital trust: protecting data in the complex cyber space.

While his mandate centres on data protection, the overlap with cybersecurity is direct and undeniable. Under his leadership, the NDPC has moved beyond bureaucratic compliance and into active transformation, launching the Virtual Privacy Academy, conducting sector-wide regulatory audits, and enforcing policies in healthcare, oil and gas, and hospitality.

But Dr. Olatunji’s impact is not confined to national borders. In April 2025, he was appointed Chair of the Anglophone Countries Committee within NADPA, tasked with coordinating data privacy strategies across English-speaking African nations. That role gives him a direct hand in shaping policies that affect over 1.4 billion people.

His global credentials are also solid. He participated in a cybersecurity study tour of Estonia, widely regarded as a pioneer in national digital infrastructure. The experience influenced his approach to cross-border data governance and the localisation of international best practices.

Under his watch, Nigeria has created a Digital Sovereignty Framework, aligned itself with global privacy standards, and taken an active role in the governance of emerging technologies.

Dr. Olatunji is not a traditional cybersecurity practitioner, but in 2025, cybersecurity is no longer just about firewalls and encryption; it’s about trust, transparency, and control. Few embody this transformation better than he.

9. Dr. David Isiavwe: Securing Nigeria’s Financial Systems, One Layer at a Time

In Nigeria’s financial sector, where billions are moved digitally every day, Dr. David Isiavwe is one of the most trusted minds working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs safely and securely.

President of the Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN), Dr. Isiavwe leads capacity building, public-private collaboration, and financial sector readiness. His organisation has hosted some of the most impactful cybersecurity conferences in the region, including the Q1 2025 Cybersecurity Roundtable, which tackled real-world issues like identity access management in zero-trust environments.

Beyond advocacy, Dr. Isiavwe wears a different hat as Executive Director of Operations and IT at Nova Bank. With past roles at Ecobank, UBA Africa, and Union Bank, his perspective is unmatched when it comes to the fusion of banking operations and digital risk management.

His academic credentials only reinforce his standing. He holds a PhD in Accounting, is a CISSP, a CGEIT, and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. His training at Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Boston University speaks volumes about his commitment to global best practices.

Dr. Isiavwe is also a loud voice in the talent retention debate. At the 2024 ISSAN Cybersecurity Conference, he called for curriculum reform, competitive incentives, and continuous learning pathways to retain Nigeria’s top cyber talent.

10. Olufemi Ake: Bolstering Cybersecurity Through Education and Strategy

If Nigeria is serious about closing its widening cybersecurity talent gap, it needs more leaders like Olufemi Ake, a professional who combines technical insight with a deep passion for education, policy, and youth empowerment.

He’s the Managing Director of ESET West Africa, who oversees operations in key Anglophone markets such as Nigeria and Ghana. But his impact runs deeper than business development. He has worked tirelessly to embed cybersecurity awareness into institutions and communities that were once far removed from the conversation.

What truly sets Ake apart, however, is his work in academia and curriculum reform. He’s played a huge role in developing cybersecurity training frameworks adopted by Nigerian universities and professional bodies. His advocacy has led to structured education pathways that didn’t exist a decade ago, helping hundreds of professionals earn globally relevant credentials and enter critical security roles.

Ake has also lent his expertise to government policymaking, advising on issues ranging from digital identity and cybercrime legislation to cloud compliance and cross-border data regulation. 

Through hackathons, CTF competitions, and NITDA-backed bootcamps, Ake has created training and mentorship opportunities that give Nigerian youth a stake in the cybersecurity industry. He speaks often, and with urgency, about the 68,000+ unfilled cybersecurity jobs across the country, and the need to develop home-grown talent fast.

He is also part of regional alliances like the African Union Cybersecurity Experts Group, where he helps shape continental policy on cyber norms, shared threat intelligence, and digital inclusion.

In a significant operation earlier in the week, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), conducted a large-scale raid on the Big Leaf Building in Lagos, identified as a key hub for fraudulent activities.

According to EFCC’s account, 792 individuals were arrested during the operation, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, all suspected of involvement in a global fraud network.

The suspects are alleged to have operated a complex scam ring that deceived victims through fraudulent romance offers and cryptocurrency investment schemes.

The Big Leaf Building served as the central location for a call center operation, primarily targeting individuals from the Americas and Europe.

The Nigerian accomplices-initiated contact with victims, while foreign nationals managed the deceptive schemes, coercing victims into transferring funds.

During the raid, the EFCC seized computers, mobile phones, and vehicles. Authorities are now collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to investigate potential connections to larger organized crime syndicates.

This operation represents a significant step in combatting the escalating threat of online fraud and transnational criminal activity.

In a media briefing held on Monday, December 16th, 2024, at the EFCC Lagos office, Wilson Uwujaren, the director of Public Affairs, revealed that Nigerian accomplices were recruited to target victims through phishing campaigns, utilizing platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.

Reacting to the EFCC’s report, Mr. Olufemi Ake, ESET’s managing director for West Africa, emphasized that fraudsters often use dating sites and social media to assume false identities, making it increasingly difficult to detect their deceptive tactics.

These criminals frequently employ psychological manipulation and advanced artificial intelligence to build trust with their victims, further complicating efforts to catch them.

Ake also noted that many of the Nigerian suspects involved in these fraudulent activities were unaware of the true identity of their employers, as they did not receive official letters of appointment or payments from corporate accounts.

This, he argued, highlights the need for employees to regularly vet their employers’ operations to avoid being ensnared in fraudulent schemes.

“As online criminals become more skilled at exploiting digital platforms, Ake advised individuals to remain cautious and informed to protect themselves from falling prey to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics”, he said.

He recommended verifying identities through trusted channels, being skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrencies, and ensuring that their devices are equipped with up-to-date cybersecurity applications.

“If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Olufemi Ake concluded.

Cybersecurity job is not for everybody; it take months, if not years, of learning, sacrifices and mastery to become a though leader in this field. Their stories should inspire you who is interested in taking up a career in cybersecurity.

Did you know that, according to the University of Maryland, hackers attack every 39 seconds, on an average of 2,244 times a day?

With the increase in the generation of digital data, it is anticipated that cyberattacks will quadruple shortly.

In this article, we are recognizing 10 influential thought leaders in cybersecurity. These are true thought leaders who are confident and clear in their purpose.

Others in this industry turn to them for guidance. It is important you follow these leaders to keep updated on cybersecurity matters:

1.  Adewale Peter Obadare (DrOPA)

Position: Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer (CVO), Digital Encode Limited.

Global #DrOPA is arguably the most credentialed Pan-African digital trust leader, cybersecurity strategist, GRC thought leader & global technopreneur with fifty Six (56) professional certifications and still counting.

He is a fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS); fellow, Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC); fellow, Institute of Information Management (FIIM); fellow, Institute of Brand Management (FIBM); Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP); the First

PECB Certified Data Protection Officer (CDPO) in Nigeria; the first Ec-Council Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) in Africa; first Ec-Council Certified BlockChain in Africa; second COBIT 5 Certified Assessor in Africa Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Qualified Security Assessor (PCI DSS QSA), amongst others.

To his credit, Dr. Obadare was awarded Honorarary Doctorate Degree in Cybersecurity from Trinity International University of Ambassadors Atlanta Georgia, United State of America.

Peter is a well-recognized subject matter expert with numerous successful engagements to his credit in Africa.

Obadare Peter Adewale’s list of credentials

DrOPA is a big dill in his field; the résumé is peppered with accomplishments anise common for him to command a large celery:

• Doctor of Human Letters – Cybersecurity (TIUA 2018)
• Harvard University Cybersecurity Risk Management (2018)
• Harvard Kennedy School (HKS LIDP 2017)
• Harvard Kennedy School (HKS CSX 2017)
• Harvard Business School (HBS LPSF 2014)
• MIT SLOAN School Of Management (ACE 2018)
• MIT SLOAN School Of Management (EDP 2016)
• MIT SLOAN School Of Management (GEA 2014)
• Oxford Blockchain Strategy Expert (2018)
• MIT Professional Education (CSX 2015)
• MIT Professional Education (CMBC 2015)
• FELLOW BRITISH COMPUTER SOCIETY
• FELLOW INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
• FELLOW INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
• FELLOW INSTITUTE OF BRAND MANAGEMENT
• CHARTERED IT PROFESSIONAL
• COBIT®5 CERTIFIED ASSESSOR
• COBIT®5 IMPLEMENTATION CERTIFICATE
• COBIT®5 FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE
• IIB COUNCIL CERTIFIED BLOCKCHAIN PROFESSIONAL (C|BP
• PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL
• PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY QUALIFIED SECURITY ASSESSOR
• ISO 27001 MASTER
• ISO 27001 LEAD AUDITOR
• ISO 20000 LEAD AUDITOR
• ISO 22301 LEAD AUDITOR
• ISO 27001 LEAD IMPLEMENTER
• ISO/IEC 27032 LEAD CYBERSECURITY MANAGER
• ISO/IEC 38500 LEAD IT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MANAGER
• INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
• MCP, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE (Written), SMBE, SBCS, SNAA, QCS, CSA, MSA, CEH, ECSA, ECSP, CHFI, LPT.

Like the saying goes, Dr Obadare is an old salt who has mustard enough experience over thyme to become a sage.

2. Confidence Staveley

Position: Founder and Executive Director, CyberSafe Foundation

Confidence Staveley is Africa’s most celebrated female Cybersecurity Leader, an author, API security
professional, talent developer, international speaker, and inclusion advocate.

She is also the Author of API Security for White Hat Hackers: Uncover offensive defense strategies and master secure API implementation.

What sets Confidence apart is her innate ability to merge profound cybersecurity knowledge
with impeccable communication finesse.

She excels in translating intricate cybersecurity concepts into digestible, jargon-free insights for diverse audiences. Her unique approach is brilliantly showcased in her YouTube series, “API Kitchen” where she uses culinary metaphors to explain API Security concepts.

Within its debut season, this series amassed over half a million views across social media, as Confidence masterfully served up a banquet of API security wisdom.

• Here’s a summary of some of her achievements, recognitions and work:
• Winner, Cybersecurity Woman of the World, 2023 Edition
• ISC2 Global Achievement Awards (CEO Award) winner.
• Top 25 Leaders in Cyber Security 2024 (Cyber Security Hub)
• Spoken at several International Conferences like Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) Community meetings in North America, Europe, and Asia.
• 45 Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation 2021-2022
• ABCD Africa’s 50 Most Impactful Voices 2023
• Featured as 40 under 40 in cybersecurity 2023
• International Security Journal 2022 and 2023 influencer
• 20 African Women of Impact 2022 – Ventures Africa
• Built Africa’s biggest female-focused novice-to-professional, free cybersecurity training, mentorship, and placement program; CyberGirls Fellowship.
• CyberSecurity Woman of the Year Award winner 2021 and 2022
• 2022 Obama Africa Leader
• U.S State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Awards.
• IFSEC Global Top Influencers in Security & Fire (One-to-Watch) for 2021
• Young CISO of the Year award 2021
• Led my team and 20+ cybersecurity experts across 7 countries to provide cybersecurity upskilling training to over 10,000+ employees of SMEs across 36 states in Nigeria.
• Listed as Top 50 Women in Cybersecurity in Africa 2020

3. Oluseyi Akindeinde

Position: Co-founder/Chief Technology Officer, Digital Encode Limited

With over two decades of expertise in the technology and information security sectors, Dr. Akindeinde, has recently dedicated a significant portion of his professional journey to understanding and addressing the security challenges within Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Financial Transaction Systems (FTS).

He has share the findings of his comprehensive research work at an array of esteemed conferences and with prestigious organisations such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (Nigeria), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN), CCIBN, CIBN, EFCC, NSE, EPPAN, and the executive councils and senior management of numerous financial institutions across Nigeria, and beyond.

Dr. Akindeinde serves as an advisor to the Nigerian eFraud Forum (NeFF), a broad-based initiative by the CBN.

Beyond his advisory role, Seyi’s expertise has been sought by entities from various sectors including finance, manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, as well as State and Federal Government Agencies.

He regularly provides enlightening presentations on current cyber security issues to the National Assembly, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Recently, the digital juggernaut immersed himself in the realm of web3 and blockchain technology, concentrating on harnessing these innovative systems to enhance enterprise security.

His particular focus lies in applying these technologies to advance web and product authentication, identity and access management as well as web and IRL token gating using smart contracts.

Dr. Akindeinde is passionate about establishing and developing tech startups. He is involved in two ventures; first, Hyperspace Technologies, known for its groundbreaking product, cipherKEY tap2sign.

Their innovative patented product cipherKEY tap2sign harnesses NFC microchip technology to offer a passwordless, contactless, and trustless multi-factor authentication, identity and access management for web based applications. The technology also used in our Keymaster VAULT product, offers a low cost and secure, cold storage for digital assets.

The second startup, Neural AI, provides essential support to organizations intending to build and deploy Large Language Models (LLMs) for generative text.

Top skillsTop skills:

Blockchain • Cybersecurity • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Near-field Communication (NFC) • Web3

4. Chukwuebuka Ume-Ezeoke

Position: Chief Technology Officer, CED Technologies

Chukwuemeka Ume-Ezeoke (CUE) is a technology advisor and entrepreneur who is highly driven with keen insights into understanding and interpreting various organizational demands.

With over a decade of technical experience and excellent skills in technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and business management, he has extensive experience developing and implementing technology strategies, solutions, and transformations for businesses in various industries like aviation, healthcare, oil&gas, dinancial, FMCG, and technology.

Through CED Technologies, as the CTO, they have partnered with Appknox the World’s highest rated mobile security solution on Gartner and G2 Crowd.

CUE continues to effectively manage technical and business teams in different countries executing a wide range of IT projects and strategic business solutions with industry leaders as he continues to encourage and share cybersecurity knowledge and help secure data in organizations across Africa.

Chukwuemeka Ume-Ezeoke is interested in solving business and economic challenges by identifying high-potential, technology-intensive business opportunities, gathering resources such as talent and cash, and managing rapid growth using principled, real-time decision-making skills.

He assists businesses worldwide make positive changes by utilizing top-notch technologies such as cloud solutions architecture, software development life cycle management, implementation & support, and cross-functional team coordination.

CUE also specializes in strategic business development, planning, execution, developing entrepreneurial skills, maintenance of technical services, client relationship management, cybersecurity, mobile & web application security services, decision making using a multiagent robotic system, training, and skill development for teams.

Top skillsTop skills: Agile Methodologies • Platform as a Service (PAAS) • Mobile Applications • Cybersecurity • Process Improvement

5. Jimi Falaiye

Position: Sophos Territory Manager for West Africa

Jimi Falaiye is a business sales and business manager with over 13 years of experience in the Information, and communication technology (ICT) industry in business development and sales of Software, IT infrastructure (Security and Networks), and other IT services within Nigeria and the West African Market.

Currently, he is the Sophos Territory Manager for West Africa, growing the sales revenue and expanding both customer and partner ecosystem within the region.

He previously worked in various roles with D-Link Networks West Africa, Cyberoam, Telesol (GH), etc.

Falaiye grew the Cyberoam business to become the go-to Unified Threat Management solution for various companies in Nigeria before transitioning and expanding the Sophos security solution business to Ghana and other West African countries.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical Electronics Engineering and an MBA from the Business School Netherlands.

He has attended various short programs and courses in business management and sales. He has also won various awards including 3 consecutive Sophos President Club awards for overachieving set business sales targets.

6. Olufemi Ake

Position: Managing Director, ESET West Africa (Anglophone)

Olufemi is an experienced strategic business development and operations professional with more than seventeen (17) years of experience cutting across Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Finance, FMCG and Information Technology sectors with vast business knowledge of the United Kingdom and West Africa markets.

Olufemi served as the Managing Director at ESET in West Africa. He is responsible for the growth and wide adoption of cybersecurity within the West African (Anglophone) region comprising five (5) countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia.

He spearheaded the strengthening of the brand over the last 10 years by opening access to strong, trust-based relationships with private and public sectors and ensuring symbiotic business relationships and growth with partners of ESET within the operational markets.

In his quest to ensure digital security is widely accepted in this part of the world, he has championed various cybersecurity education programs at schools, large and small corporations, and public sector institutions by creating awareness of the importance.

He has also written numerous articles and press releases, which often serve as advisories to Information Technology (IT) professionals on ethics, compliance, risk, and governance in corporate environments.

He attended the University of Sheffield in England with Honors and has been in a couple of business schools since graduation.

He is certified in Strategic Management and Innovation for Sustainable Business Growth at the China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS). In 2022, he was selected as one of the four IFSEC most influential security professionals in Africa.

7. UMAR SA’AD

Position: Manager Information Technology, ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited.

Umar Sa’ad is one of the influential thought leaders in cybersecurity; a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience countering emerging cyber threats.

He specializes in detecting threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and responding to incidents by designing comprehensive security programs that combine technology, processes, and human behavior.

With skills in network architecture, penetration testing, and risk management, Umar currently holds the positions of Vice President at the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) and IT Manager at ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC); a leading midstream energy company in Nigeria.

He holds an MSc in Computer Networking and key certifications including CEH, CISM, and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, remaining on the cutting edge of cybersecurity advancements.

8. Chinenye Chizea

Position: Security Architect and Technical Lead, World Bank/FGN Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.

Chinenye Chizea has over 20 years’ professional experience from a diverse background in Information Security, IT management, Enterprise Architecture, Privacy and Compliance. She is named among IFSEC Global’s Security & Fire Influencers 2021 Security Executives.

Chinenye is an advocate of implementing best practice security risk controls, common security frameworks and standards within an organization.

Her broad technical background built over the years in the UK and in Nigeria has equipped her with the skills and knowledge in areas relating to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, risk management,business continuity, information security and assurance.

Chinenye was the first female CISO for National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

A role that had her accountable for ensuring the security of her organizations information assets as well as driving her organizations certification in ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and PCI DSS Program. Chinenye participated in the review of Nigeria’s 2021 National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS).

Her current role sees her consulting for the World Bank/Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) digital identity for development (ID4D) project on security and privacy.

She has served in varying committees, and is frequently interviewed, and invited to speak at varying platforms on cybersecurity, privacy, compliance and related corporate governance responsibilities. She has Master’s degree in Information Technology, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics, and holds several industry certifications including CISSP, ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Master, MCSE_Private Cloud, OCP, ITIL and Cisco certifications.

9. Remi Afon

Position: Pioneer President, CSEAN, and the Founder GoLegit Africa

Remi Afon is a dynamic and results-oriented Cyber Security Specialist with an exceptional track record of success.

With over two decades of IT experience and a solid academic foundation, including a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Ilorin, an MBA, and an MSc in Information Security from Royal Holloway University of London, Remi brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

A true luminary in the field, Remi is not only a sought-after speaker at prestigious conferences, summits, and seminars, but also a strategic thinker who has consistently delivered outstanding results in overseeing diverse corporate IT projects.

Remi’s contributions extend beyond the boardroom, as he actively shapes the strategic planning and deployment of information security solutions that seamlessly align with both business and governmental objectives.

Remi Afon is not just a cybersecurity professional; he’s a mentor and coach, recognized for his exceptional skills in the field.

He has authored educational materials for the Infosec Institute, Chicago USA and holds esteemed roles as a PECB & CEH Certified Trainer.

Currently, Remi’s focus is on the strategic implementation of cloud migration security solutions and ensuring robust application security for both public and private sector entities. His unparalleled expertise in core security operations serves as a strong foundation for these endeavors.

In addition to his impressive career, Remi is the pioneer and immediate past president of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), demonstrating his commitment to advancing cybersecurity in Africa.

He is also the Founder of GoLegit Africa, an innovative initiative aimed at rehabilitating cybercriminals. Furthermore, Remi Afon has established Penayde Cybersecurity Limited in the United Kingdom and Lynsec Cybersecurity Solution in Nigeria, cementing his status as a visionary leader in the cybersecurity landscape.

10. Uchenna Jerome Orji

Position: Research Fellow, African Centre for Cyber Law and Cybercrime Prevention (ACCP)

Meet Dr Uchenna Jerome Orji, an Attorney admitted to the Nigerian Bar. He holds an LL.B from the University of Nigeria, and an LL.M from the University of Ibadan, with specialization in cybersecurity and information technology law.

He also holds a PhD in Law from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, with specialization in telecommunications law.

Dr. Orji is a Fellow of the African Center for Cyber Law and Cybercrime Prevention within the UN African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in Kampala, Uganda.

He is the author of Cybersecurity Law and Regulation (Wolf Legal Publishers: The Netherlands, 2012), International Telecommunications Law and Policy (Cambridge Scholars Press: United Kingdom, 2018), and Telecommunications Law and Regulation in Nigeria (Cambridge Scholars Press: United Kingdom, 2018), in addition to several peer reviewed law journal publications. He is a recipient of a national award (the Dangote Prize) for the best overall essay in the fourth edition of the Nigerian Ships & Ports National Essay Competition.

Recently, he has participated as an expert in notable projects including the Council of Europe Cybercrime@Octopus Project; the Commonwealth Virtual Currency Project; the Dutch Terre des Hommes’ Sweetie 2.0 Project; and the GSMA E-Health Regulatory Framework for Africa. In 2016, he was appointed as the resource person/professor of cybersecurity law and policy for the CODESRIA African Cybersecurity Governance Institute.

He has been a speaker at several high-level international conferences including the Hague Global Conference on Cyber Space; the NATO CCD COE’s International Conference on Cyber Conflict; and the Asian Security Conference, and also works as a legal consultant for local and international organizations.

Dr. Orji specializes in cybersecurity & cybercrime law; data protection law; telecommunications law; information technology law; money laundering law; development law; trade law.

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(Sources: CSEAN, LinkedIn, Corporate and Individual websites, Profiles)

Mr Olufemi Ake, the Managing Director of ESET West Africa (Anglophone), speaking to journalists at the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State penultimate week, said that ESET thrives on securing IoT devices and has earned international accolades for the effectiveness of its solutions.

Speaking on the conference theme: ‘Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation’, he said that it simply implies that for a modern nation to be sustainable the people have to be intentional about adopting smart and secure systems in every sphere. This cuts across public and private sectors.

“In other words, we have to make the Internet secure as the bedrock of a smart city. Smart cities and smart homes imply there will be connected devices such as vehicles communicating with each other and humans via the Internet; mobile devices, laptops, and Internet of Things (IoT) communicating without any downtime.

“You would agree that, once the Internet is made available, you are guaranteed a sustainable smart city. Now, how do you make it secure? This is our area of specialization. ESET thrives excellently in securing IoT devices. This is the future! Would you ever imagine being in a situation where your car navigation system is being hacked and you are misdirected to a strange location where negative actions are perpetrated? Of course not! ESET comes in to strengthen security and protection of those devices, which further guarantees a safer smart city.

ESET and Cybersecurity solutions for 5G launch in Nigeria

“First, we have to be intentional with our approach to solutions deployment. We are so quick to adopt the latest technology which is not a bad idea. However, we seem to be slow in adopting security solutions for these devices (connected technologies). So, if we as a nation are going to adopt 5G which enhances IoT connectivity then we should be mindful of its security aspects. As we adopt conferences like this, we should preach security as the bedrock of the acceptability of these devices. We have to continue to educate our people. Education is very key. Just as we are complaining about the (physical) security situation in the country, the same thing applies to cyberspace. Cyberspace must be secure for the country to reap the benefits of 5G.

How prepared is ESET?

“5G is just being deployed in Nigeria, but it is already in place in over 1,500 cities across the world. So, it is not new to us as a business and we are futuristic. We think about these things before they are launched. For instance, TVR is categorized under IoT. It is very smart and gives the external world access to your home. So, if it is hacked, you have probably given outsiders access to your living room through smart cameras. When that happens, cyber criminals keep monitoring your activities and can socially engineer attacks against you.

“Therefore, we developed solutions that secure your TVs and IoT devices from intruders. You can check this solution out here to see the array of solutions we have to secure IoT. So, Nigerians should know that the ESET Secure Smart TV solution will prevent access to your TV and home”, Mr Ake stated.

Commenting on the process of selecting the security influencers, James Moore, Editor, IFSEC Global said, the influencers are “Chosen based on nominations that was judged by a panel of highly respected judges, the influencers span several categories (six specifically for security), with nominees and winners coming from across the globe”.

“The awards are designed to generate positivity across the industry by recognising the talent and efforts of some of the leading individuals tirelessly working to develop the security and fire safety sectors”.

Meanwhile, Mr. Olufemi Ake ‘s nomination was on the top 10 security influencers in the Manufacturers / Vendors / Integrators / Installers category.

He is responsible for the growth within the West Africa region, spearheading ESET brand by opening access to strong, trust-based relationships with private and public sectors.

His team has championed various cybersecurity education programs at schools, large and small corporations, and public sector institutions to create awareness on the importance. He has also written numerous articles which often serve advice to IT professionals on ethics, compliance, risk and governance in corporate environments.

Mr. Ake is an experienced strategic business development and operations professional with more than 15 years of experience cutting across real estate, finance, fmcg and information technology sectors in the United Kingdom and West Africa markets.

ESET, a global Digital Security Company, originated from Europe. For more than 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET’s high performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, and updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption.

Reacting to the nomination, Mr. Olufemi Ake said that with over one billion users protected by ESET, it shows a great testament to the robust solutions and legacies products the company has built over the three decades ago.

“We have over a billion users that we secure globally currently. If you consider the fact that we have an agreement with Google to secure the backend of Chrome, you can deduce that with the number of Google Chrome users that amounts to over half a billion. So, we make bold to say that we have over one billion people that trust us to secure their devices. We are excited about this.

“This nomination couldn’t have come without the robust security of ESET. I want to specially thank the team at IFSEC Global for this recognition. ESET’s pledge to the customers in the West African region cutting across individuals, government, and private sector, continue on the journey with them towards complying with privacy and security regulations”, he said.

There are other nominees from Nigeria, namely; Daniel Adaramola and Samaila Atsen Bako.

From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption.

The hybrid conference, Cyber Secure Nigeria 2022, is scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria from 21 – 22 June 2022 at the CBN International Training Institute, Maitama, Abuja under a theme – Cybersecurity: An imperative for tackling security challenges in Nigeria.

According to the Samila Atsen Bako, Director, Social Media and Communications, the conference aims to bring together cybersecurity industry practitioners, business owners, financial institutions, telecommunications industries, ministries, departments, agencies, academia and non-governmental organizations with a view to share cyber security best practices in combating cyber threats and cyber related issues that affect Nigeria and the world at large.

Bako said that as a critical stakeholder, CSEAN is delighted over ESET’s partnership with CSEAN as a sponsor for the conference.

“We raise cybersecurity awareness and organise free knowledge sharing events to contribute to the growth of the cybersecurity industry.

“ESET’s partnership will go a long way in helping CSEAN realise its objectives for this conference”, the Director said.

Mr. Olufemi Ake, Managing Director, ESET West Africa Anglophone, reiterated that for 35 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

He said the global cyber security giant, ESET, is prepared to work with critical stakeholders like CSEAN to achieve cyber defense goals for businesses in Nigeria.

Mr. Ake further said, “The digital transformation efforts of the government cannot be satisfactorily complete without adequate cyber defense mechanism, likewise businesses. We encourage every stakeholder in the industry to work together towards achieving the objectives of this conference”.

Also commenting, Olabanji Soledayo, Marketing and Strategic Partnership Manager, ESET West Africa Anglophone, said that the topics for discussions during the conference such as Cybersecurity Governance, Protecting the Nigeria’s Digital Economy, Cyber Intelligence as a tool for Enhancing National Security, Web3.0 and its Cybersecurity Implications, amongst others, are topics ESET is passionate about.

While imploring the potential participants to partake fully during the Conference, he said that ESET will be on ground to provide assistance to individuals and businesses eager to enhance their cybersecurity architecture.

CSEAN is a non-profit organization established in 2014 as an advocacy group to galvanize the movement and development of Information Security best practices in Nigeria through a multi-stakeholder consortium at domestic and international levels.

• For fake recruitment campaigns, they used services like LinkedIn and WhatsApp.
• According to the US government, Lazarus is linked to the North Korean regime.

Jean-Ian Boutin, ESET Threat Research Director reviewed new campaigns perpetrated by the Lazarus group against defense contractors around the world between the end of 2021 and March 2022.

Lazarus targeted companies in Europe (France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Ukraine) and Latin America (Brazil) from 2021-2022, according to the ESET report. Despite the fact that the main objective of this Lazarus operation is cyber espionage, the group also tried to extract money from the prey, but without success. 

In Jean-Ian Boutin’s words: “The Lazarus threat group showed their ingenuity by implementing an interesting set of tools, including, for example, a user-mode component capable of exploiting a vulnerable Dell driver to write to kernel memory. This advanced hack was used in an attempt to bypass monitoring by security solutions”.

During 2020, ESET specialists had documented a campaign carried out by a Lazarus subgroup against European aerospace and defense contractors, ESET called Operation In(ter)ception. 

This campaign was notable in that it used social media, especially LinkedIn, to build trust between the attacker and an unsuspecting employee before sending them malicious components disguised as job descriptions or applications. 

At that time, companies from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Qatar, Turkey and Ukraine had already been attacked.

The ESET research team believed that the action was primarily aimed at targeting European companies, but tracking various Lazarus subgroups conducting similar campaigns against defense contractors, they soon realized that the campaign went much further. 

Although the types of malware used in the various campaigns were different, the initial modus operandi was always the same: a fake recruiter contacted an employee through LinkedIn and ultimately sent malicious components.

In this sense, the group continued with the same methodology as in the past. However, ESET documented the reuse of legitimate recruitment campaign elements to add legitimacy to their fake recruiters’ campaigns. Furthermore, the attackers used services such as WhatsApp or Slack in their malicious campaigns.

In 2021, the US Department of Justice charged three IT programmers with cyberattacks while working for the North Korean military. 

According to the US government, they belonged to the North Korean military hacker unit known in the information security community as the Lazarus Group.

Along with the new research from Lazarus, during the annual conference, ESET presented its report on “Cyber warfare past and present in Ukraine”. 

Also, Robert Lipovský, ESET researcher took an in-depth look at cyber warfare during Russia’s war against Ukraine, including the latest attempt to disrupt the country’s power grid using Industroyer2 and various wiper attacks.

Commenting on this subject, Mr. Olufemi Ake, the Managing Director of ESET West Africa (Anglophone), stated that: “The Lazarus group is a menacing Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) that must not be taken with levity. Its footprints in Africa are becoming more eminent and its tactics – more intelligent. It’s high time that organizations and government bodies adhered strictly to security compliance policies, and train employees on safe practices in the cyberspace.”

Alongside the ESET research team, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, former Commander of the International Space Station and a key figure in ESET’s Progress Protected campaign, joined ESET CEO Richard Marko to discuss the intricacies of the technology, science and life.

For more than 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET’s high performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption.