AI’s Double-Edged Sword: NTT DATA and Cisco Highlight Cybersecurity Gaps in East Africa
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) by businesses across East Africa, driven by the promise of enhanced efficiency and innovation, is inadvertently exposing a critical vulnerability: a widening chasm in cybersecurity preparedness. Industry leaders NTT DATA and Cisco are jointly sounding the alarm, urging organizations to prioritize robust digital defenses as they embrace AI’s transformative power.
The Growing AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threat Landscape
At a high-level industry roundtable recently held in Nairobi, Brian Kiplagat, Head of Cybersecurity at NTT DATA East Africa, articulated the pressing concern. While acknowledging AI’s profound capabilities, he underscored its role in ushering in entirely new and rapidly evolving threats. Kiplagat pointed out a significant uptick in cyberattacks where AI is leveraged to pinpoint and exploit system weaknesses with unprecedented speed. He elaborated that many organizations maintain strong on-premise security controls but often struggle with adequate visibility and governance across their cloud environments and remote work setups. This disparity creates crucial openings that malicious actors are increasingly exploiting. The collaborative roundtable, co-hosted by NTT DATA and Cisco, convened regional technology and business leaders. Its primary objective was to thoroughly examine the dual challenge confronting enterprises: how to harness AI for sustainable growth while simultaneously mitigating the associated emerging cyber risks. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for a balanced approach that champions technological advancement without compromising digital security.
As East African businesses continue their journey into AI-driven transformation, the stark warning from NTT DATA and Cisco serves as a vital reminder. Bridging the cybersecurity readiness gap is not merely a technical challenge but a strategic imperative to ensure that AI truly empowers growth rather than becoming an Achilles’ heel.
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