What have we seen happening with the cybersecurity front in Namibia so far in 2024?
In the first quarter of 2024, we have seen an uptake in the lockbit 3.0 or AKA known as lockbit black. We have seen the hacker group “Hive” and the collective ransomware as a service group “Blackcat” working together in deploying Lockbit 3.0 in more creative ways.
So, how did this effect Namibia, we have seen that no Financial institute and no Parastatal is save. Ransomware has been the primary attack against Namibian companies as a whole and both collectives, Hive and Blackcat being behind most of these attacks. Although these attacks is old news for most, Namibia and Sothern Africa, it is new and a very real threat.
Are these attacks a threat, if any?
Yes, these are, and very successful executions has been made. What is more concerning is that these attackers leaves a message stating that they can do it again at anytime and that ransom is the only way to get your network back. These attackers do not hold back and have no shame. The big threat here is, the lack of management or security staff in Namibia. We see that these attacks are well directed where these attackers realize loopholes in the management of passwords, VPN and remote RDP connections.
What to do?
Again, Namibian companies must really look at securing the basics. Password Policies, Anti-Virus being up to date, patching regularly. These three area’s falls short in almost every successful attack. Namibia is playing in the big league on the internet. There is no “3rd world” internet for Namibia. Here we play with the big boys and will be attacked just like the big countries and companies.
What to expect in 2024 going forward?
Two very big factors to look at, although there are many more, these two stand out. Ransomware with Blackcat and Hive will go on and WILL escalate. These attacks are very well thought out and companies that does not take their security polices seriously (by actually implementing them) will be an easy target.
The 2nd. IOT all over the world have become an easy target, just because home users connect these devices to their home network with out any security and this opens up easy backdoors. As this is becoming more prevalent over the world, Namibia needs to lear from it. True, Namibia is not heavily invested in IOT yet, but it is coming, and when it does, take your IOT security seriously. Change the default settings and password.
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Johann van Rooyen - SOC and SIEM Manager
