Kenyans urged to strengthen online security amid rising cyber threats
The alert comes after the Business Registration Service (BRS) notified the Ministry of a potential breach affecting the register of companies.
Kenyans have been urged to stay vigilant amid rising cyber threats following a suspected data breach involving the country’s company register.
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy has warned that cyber risks are escalating and called on individuals and businesses to take proactive measures to safeguard their personal and organisational data.
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The alert comes after the Business Registration Service (BRS) notified the Ministry of a potential breach affecting the register of companies.
BRS Director-General Kenneth Gathuma confirmed the data breach on Sunday noting that the organisation swiftly launched a thorough investigation and notified the relevant regulatory authorities.
"Upon receiving information about the potential data breach, we swiftly activated our Incident Response Plan, initiated a thorough investigation, and informed the relevant regulatory authorities," Gathuma said.
He noted that the organisation is working closely with its cybersecurity partner, law enforcement, and investigative agencies to assess the situation.
"Our cybersecurity experts are collaborating with the necessary partners to evaluate the scope of the incident, determine any potential impact, and implement containment measures," Gathuma added.
Registry's integrity
Although BRS is still verifying the details of the breach, including which data may have been compromised, Gathuma assured stakeholders that the organisation’s primary focus remains the security and integrity of the company registry.
"We want to assure all stakeholders that the security of the registry is our top priority. As a precaution, we have bolstered our security protocols to prevent future incidents," Gathuma said.
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the government has formed a multi-agency team to investigate the matter and prevent further unauthorised access to sensitive information.
He noted that the Ministry has also engaged international cybersecurity agencies to address the situation and enhance protective measures.
“The security and integrity of all government digital assets is a top priority. As a precautionary measure, we have strengthened our security protocols to safeguard our systems and prevent future incidents,” Kabogo said in a statement on Tuesday.
To mitigate risks, the Ministry has urged the public to regularly update passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid sharing sensitive personal information online.
People have also been advised to verify the authenticity of websites and emails to prevent phishing attacks, install the latest security updates, and back up important data.
The Ministry, through its relevant agencies, said it will continue issuing guidance on best practices for data protection and privacy.
Kenyans have been encouraged to remain informed and report any suspicious cyber activities via the email [email protected].
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