Cybersecurity - @iLabAfrica

22Sep 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Design and Evaluation of Privacy-Preserving Protocols for Agent-Facilitated Mobile Money Services in Kenya

Cybersecurity

In Kenya, mobile money (MoMo) has changed lives but it comes with a cost: every time you deposit or withdraw, a local agent must see your ID and phone number, risking your privacy. This paper rolls out new protocols that shift sensitive data away from agents and straight to the MoMo provider. Think biometrics, one-time codes, and smarter verification even when someone else (a proxy) handles the cash for you. From talking to both users and agents, people love the idea of....Read More

22May 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Standard Chartered Launches the Second Cohort of the ‘Women in Cyber’ Mentorship Programme to Close East Africa’s Cybersecurity Skills Gap

Cybersecurity, Women in Cyber

Caption: Engineer Dr Julius Butime, Dean School of Computing, Strathmore University and Nivedita Sharma- Board Member Kenya, Standard Chartered Kenya. The initiative will equip early-career women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with world-class technical training, mentorship and CPD-recognised learning. 21 May 2025, Nairobi, Kenya – Standard Chartered in partnership with @iLabAfrica - Strathmore University today unveiled the second cohort of the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme, a hybrid initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of female cybersecurity leaders across East Africa. Delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, the programme will pair mentees with industry experts, provide hands-on technical and soft skills training, and offer Continuous Professional Development (CPD) credits. Cybersecurity talent remains scarce worldwide: women hold 22 per cent of roles in the profession, while an estimated 2.5 million positions remain unfilled globally. Africa accounts…

28Mar 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Fatma Songoro on Mentorship, Representation, and Women in Tech

Cybersecurity, Women in Cyber

Fatma Songoro on Mentorship, Representation, and Women in Tech For Fatma Sangoro, the sky was never the limit. It was just the beginning. With an insatiable drive and a sharp legal mind, she carved a path to become one of East Africa’s leading cybersecurity lawyers. After graduating from the University of Dar es Salaam with aspirations of specializing in corporate and commercial law, Fatma’s career took an unexpected yet rewarding turn when she discovered the intersection of law and technology. This newfound passion led her to enroll in iLabAfrica’s Women in Cyber Programme, a decision that would redefine her professional journey. Now, years into her career, Fatma has established herself as a distinguished legal expert with extensive experience in data protection, artificial intelligence (AI) law, international trade, insolvency, cybersecurity, corporate…

17Feb 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica Honors First Penetration Testing Graduates of the Year

Cybersecurity

“There's no silver bullet with cybersecurity; a layered defense is the only viable option.” —James Scott. The field of cybersecurity welcomed a new wave of skilled professionals as the first cohort of the year earned their Certificate in Penetration Testing. This milestone marked a crucial step for the graduates as they set out to become ethical hackers and security specialists. The graduating class included individuals from diverse backgrounds, from IT professionals and career changers to recent graduates eager to make an impact. The course provided hands-on training in real-world security testing, equipping students with the skills to identify vulnerabilities and assess system resilience. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of system hardening measures and offer strategic recommendations to mitigate security risks. Designed as a beginner-friendly program, the curriculum…

29Jan 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Why Ethical Hacking Is a Critical Career Choice

Cybersecurity

As African nations embrace rapid digital transformation, connecting over 160 million individuals to the online world, the continent faces a mounting wave of cyber threats. Businesses, governments, and individuals are grappling with sophisticated ransomware attacks, digital extortion schemes, and data breaches that jeopardize financial stability and security. The world is increasingly being defined by digital connectivity and ethical hacking has emerged as one of the most critical and rewarding career paths. For those with a passion for technology, becoming an ethical hacker offers a unique opportunity to combine a lucrative profession with the chance to make a meaningful difference. Against this backdrop, ethical hackers are technology professionals who think like cybercriminals but act with consent and integrity; they are at the forefront of safeguarding the digital ecosystem. By understanding the…

29Jan 2025 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

@iLabAfrica, NRF Collaborate to Advance Research and Innovation

Cybersecurity

From Left to Right seated: Prof. Izael Da Silva DVC Research and Innovation Strathmore University and Dickson Andala signing the MoU witnessed by (standing) Cornelius Omuse and Dr.Joseph Sevilla, Director of @iLabAfrica @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, and the National Research Fund (NRF) joined forces on Wednesday, January 21, 2025, in a partnership sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This historic collaboration sets the stage for progressive research, data-driven policy-shaping, and cutting-edge innovations poised to make a lasting societal impact. This partnership lays the foundation for a vibrant collaboration between NRF and @iLabAfrica to establish the African Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity. Through this agreement, the two entities aim to drive research, foster innovation, and lead capacity-building initiatives in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity Speaking at the signing…

06Nov 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

The Impact of Generative AI on Online Safety

Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity

The increased adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in various industries, such as content creation, education, healthcare, agriculture, and digital inclusion, has had a revolutionary impact on Kenya's society, leading to a renaissance of new ideas and innovations. One such innovation is Mzee.ai, a platform designed to preserve the wisdom of African elders by using AI to capture and share their expertise in fields like conservation agriculture, beekeeping, and sustainable fishing. AI's potential for a positive impact on the personal and professional development of youth in Kenya is exponential, and Mzee.ai embodies this potential. However, it is also increasingly important to expose the technology's soft white underbelly, which is the human rights and data privacy concerns surrounding the use and proliferation of AI technology in various social, economic, and governance…

11Oct 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Essential Cybersecurity Tips to Navigate the Digital Landscape

Cybersecurity

In today’s digital era, where devices permeate every facet of our daily lives, be it work, communication, shopping, or entertainment, ensuring online safety has become more crucial than ever. The idea of effecting proper cyber hygiene has gained prominence, particularly in the face of escalating cyber threats. Cyber hygiene refers to the steps and habits that individuals and organizations should cultivate to protect themselves in the digital environment, much like maintaining good health habits in the physical world. In an age where smartphones, smart homes, wearable devices, and even vehicles are interconnected through the internet, practicing good cyber hygiene has become an essential aspect of our digital lives. Recent discussions at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) have underscored the necessity of adopting an effective cyber hygiene routine to combat the…

10Sep 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Cybersecurity Diplomacy: iLabAfrica’s Polish Expedition

Cybersecurity

The team after a morning of meetings and presentations at the eSecure offices In a bold move to bolster Africa’s digital defenses, the iLabAfrica Team embarked on a strategic mission to the heart of Eastern Europe. Poland, renowned for its rich history, technological advancement, and robust cybersecurity ecosystem, became the stage for this pivotal expedition. Led by Dr. Joseph Sevilla- Director @iLabAfrica, Eunice Maingi-Manager IT security (@iLabAfrica ), John Mwangi - Representative of the Polish Kenya Chamber of Commerce, TIMU) and Pat Muthui-CEO of BCK Kenya Ltd (TaiSoc) the delegation traversed the country, engaging with industry leaders and academic institutions to forge new partnerships. The expedition kicked off with strategic and product evaluation meetings at the eSecure offices in Warsaw. Michal Ostrowski, Chief Revenue Officer, and Krzysztof Gortat, the CEO…

23May 2024 by @iLabAfrica No Comments

Securing the Digital Frontier: Expert Tips from @iLabAfrica’s Alex Osunga

Cybersecurity

Picture this. You leave work in the evening with everything perfectly in order, only to wake up the next day to find that your systems across multiple departments have been hacked by a political organization. What would you do? This was the grim reality of the KFC Fast Food Franchise on the morning of 5th May 2024. Customers in their restaurants were confronted with screens displaying messages from the Mutarrif Hamas Islamic Force, announcing a cyberattack creating a buzz on social media. This ‘cyberattack,’ more accurately described as website defacement, occurs when malicious parties infiltrate a website and replace content on the site with their messages. The messages mostly convey a political or religious message, profanity, or other inappropriate content that would embarrass website owners, or a notice that a…

Category: Cybersecurity