There is a “Cyber Security Time bomb” that’s about to detonate (BOOM!!!). This is as a result of a high use of digital products as well as mobile payments. This digitalization process has grown tremendously and many first time users have joined. Unfortunately many have a low level of awareness about security as this gives rise to cybercrime.

Some of the challenges faced are:

1. Lack of cyber security skills: there is a large gap to be filled in the cyber security ecosystem and the world is in need of “CYBER HEROES”.
2. High demand of industry professionals to fill up the ever increasing demand. (In Africa, only about 10,000 are certified cyber security professionals.)
3. Lack of Institutions offering cyber security as a subject.

In addition, only 20% of the current cyber security global workforce are occupied by women. This is really low when compared to the large percentage dominated by males.

Social Engineering:

• “Any act that influences a person to take action that may or may not be in their best interest”
• The science of manipulating human behavior to conduct a security breach”
• Psychology + Manipulation + Misdirection.

Amygdala Hijack = Relaxed → Anxious → Panic

Typical Methods of Social Engineering:

1. Phishing
2. Vishing
3. SMiShing
4. Impersonation.

Things to expect beyond 2020:

• More sophisticated, targeted phishing attacks-automation (laser phishing).
• Use of deep fakes in vishing.
• More extortion schemes (sextortion, ransom ware attacks).

Things to be done:

1. More cyber security and tech in curriculum.
2. Internship opportunities.
3. More collaborative private and public sector.
4. More student incentivation and awareness programs.