Cyber Security: Protecting children and businesses from cyber criminals post-COVID

Kevin Omolo, is the Head of Technical Services at SGA Security.

Digital technology has been described as the ‘hidden hero of this unprecedented global crisis’ as the world adapts to the ‘new normal’ following the Covid- 19 pandemic. Thanks to lockdown, most households have become alternatives to remote workspaces and classes, play and participation for children. While this adapted concept has strengthened family bonds, it has led to the breakdown of boundaries between work and private life prone to cyber-attacks.

Kenya reported six million cyber-attacks in 2019, according to a recent report on the state of national security with more prevalence of crime incidents being attributed to hacking, insider threat, identity theft and web application attacks. Since March this year, cybercriminals have taken advantage of adults’ and children’s anxieties and fears that affected their social, physical, emotional and intellectual well-being triggered by Covid-19.