Computer Crime in Kenya: A Growing Threat to Businesses and Individuals

Computer Crime in Kenya: A Growing Threat to Businesses and Individuals

Computer crime, also known as cybercrime, is any illegal activity that involves a computer or a network. Cybercrime can take many forms, such as hacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, identity theft, fraud, and cyberterrorism. Cybercrime can cause significant financial losses, reputational damage, and security breaches for businesses and individuals.

Kenya is one of the most affected countries by cybercrime in Africa. According to the Check Point Software 2022 Security Report, Africa experienced the highest volume of cyberattacks in the world last year. In Kenya, the number of cyberattacks detected in the three months ending September 2022 stood at 278 million, almost three times the number of threats reported in the previous quarter. The main cyber crimes reported in Kenya in 2021 were malware, botnet, web application attacks, denial of service attacks, and phishing.

The Kenyan government has implemented several initiatives to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure, such as the establishment of the National Cyber Security Authority and the National Computer Incident Response Team (National KE-CIRT/CC). However, these efforts are not enough to cope with the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their techniques and targeting new sectors and platforms.

Some of the factors that contribute to the rise of cybercrime in Kenya are:

• The rapid adoption of cloud computing and mobile devices, which create new attack vectors and vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit.
• The growth in adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which enable cybercriminals to automate and scale their attacks.
• The economic uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which motivates some people to engage in cybercrime as a source of income or to take advantage of the increased online activity.
• The lack of awareness and education among users and organizations on how to protect themselves from cyber threats and how to respond to incidents.
• The legal and regulatory gaps that make it difficult to prosecute and deter cybercriminals.

Cybercrime is not only a technical problem but also a social and economic one. It affects everyone who uses the internet, from individuals to businesses to governments. Therefore, it requires a collective and coordinated response from all stakeholders. Some of the possible solutions to combat cybercrime in Kenya are:

• Enhancing the cybersecurity capacity and resilience of public and private institutions by investing in technology, training, and best practices.
• Promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness and responsibility among users by providing them with information, tools, and guidance on how to prevent and report cyberattacks.
• Strengthening the collaboration and information sharing among local, regional, and international actors involved in cybersecurity, such as law enforcement agencies, regulators, service providers, researchers, and civil society.
• Developing and enforcing a comprehensive legal framework that defines cybercrime offences, sanctions, and procedures, and that aligns with international standards and conventions.

Cybercrime is a growing threat to Kenya's security, development, and prosperity. It is imperative that all stakeholders work together to address this challenge and create a safer and more secure digital environment for everyone.