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Experts Advise African Firms Processing EU Personal Data

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A piece of advice has been given to organisations in Africa processing the personal information of data subjects from within the European Union (EU).

 

At an event hosted by Baker McKenzie and Cognia Law in Johannesburg, Head of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Practice Group at Baker McKenzie in Johannesburg, Mr Darryl Bernstein, warned organisations doing such to already have effective General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance procedures in place, including Data Breach Security Checklists, impact assessments and subject data requests procedures.

 

Mr Bernstein said this due diligence is not only required by the GDPR regulation but can significantly reduce the risks associated with security breaches, raise awareness of the GDPR and ensure that companies have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to comply with the legislation.

 

He further said it was essential for organisations to have a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Data Security Breach Checklist in place to assess the risks of a data security breach and to implement a plan to contain and manage any data breaches.

 

Mr Bernstein noted that the first step on any organisation’s GDPR Data Security Breach Checklist should be to assess the risks associated with a data security breach.

 

“It is essential to know whose data might have been disclosed, what type of data has been breached and if it contains sensitive information.

 

“Affected organisations should also asses the volume of data disclosed and if any of the data has been lost or damaged. The cause of the breach and where in the world the breach occurred must also be investigated,” he said.

 

Mr Bernstein explained that step two on the Checklist should be to contain the breach and recover the data.

 

“Organisations who have fallen victim to a data breach must establish who will investigate the breach, who will assist with the containment of the breach and/or the recovery of information and if action should also be taken to prevent the breach from recurring. This is also the time to inform the police, if appropriate to do so,” the data expert said.

 

During step three, organisations must notify all data subjects who have had their private information breached.

 

“According to the GDPR, notification must take place without undue delay and no later than 72 hours after the breach has occurred. The nature and scope of the breach, as well as its consequences and the measures taken to rectify it, must also be disclosed to affected data subjects,” he said.

 

Mr Bernstein explained that South African organisations will have to have a similar checklist in place in order to comply to the soon to be implemented Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

 

POPIA stipulates that a data breach must be notified as soon as reasonably possible after the discovery of the compromise, considering the legitimate needs of law enforcement or any measures reasonably necessary to determine the scope of the compromise and to restore the integrity of the responsible party’s information system.

 

To assist organisations in the event of a data breach, Baker McKenzie recently launched a mobile application called “Data Breach 72”. This app, which is available in English and French, allows organisations to identify the existence of a data breach, within the scope of application of the GDPR; establish whether it is necessary to notify the competent supervisory body; and prepare an initial draft of this notification. The app forms part of Baker McKenzie’s innovation programme, which aims to rethink the way in which lawyers deal with the challenges their clients are facing.

 

The final step in Checklist includes a thorough evaluation of the breach. “Once the first three steps are complete, organisations must investigate whether employees were responsible for the breach and if disciplinary action is required. If a third party was involved, the contract should be checked for damages provisions and an impact assessment undertaken. Lastly, organisations must review their procedures and ensure their data is secure going forward,” he said.

 

Also, partner in Baker McKenzie’s Corporate/M&A practice and TMT specialist, Janet MacKenzie, noted that, “The GDPR further requires organisations to complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment prior to the processing of private information, where the processing is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.

 

MacKenzie said it is essential to conduct an Impact Assessment of third parties that process high-risk company personal data, to determine their awareness of GDPR and to ensure that they have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to comply with the legislation.

 

For high-risk third parties, audit partners should be identified for the assessment of processes and to determine if on-site audits are required. It is worth noting that the requirements of the GDPR stipulate that data processing can only be outsourced to a third party if the processor guarantees conformity with the requirements of the GDPR.

 

Janet Taylor Hall, CEO of Cognia Law, explained further, “There were two operational areas where clients tend to underestimate the impact assessment efforts around GDPR –  the first being adequately preparing to deal with a data breach when it happens and the second is subject data requests, which can in themselves lead to a breach if not handled appropriately.”

 

“Right of access is a core principle of the GDPR. Individuals have the right to access their personal data and supplementary information at any time. In responding to these data requests in time (30 days), it is also important that no data is shared that belongs to another individual or that contains intellectual property or trade secrets,” she said.

 

“Putting a robust subject data request capability in place is an important part of the on-going GDPR compliance support we offer our clients”, highlighted Justin Ridl, Global Head of Legal Services, Cognia Law.

 

 

 

 

 


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Study Reveals 88.5% of Phishing Attacks Focus on Stealing Account Credentials

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Kaspersky analysed phishing and scam campaigns observed from January through September 2025 and found that 88.5% of attacks globally sought credentials for various online accounts.

Another 9.5% targeted personal data such as names, addresses, and dates of birth, while 2% focused on bank card details.

According to data from Kaspersky, over 38 million phishing links were clicked in Africa in the previous year (from November 2024 to October 2025) – all of which were detected and blocked by Kaspersky solutions.

Not everyone uses protective solutions on their devices however, and phishing remains one of the most prevalent cyber threats, with attackers luring users to fake websites where they unwittingly surrender their login credentials, personal information, or bank card details.

Kaspersky research shows that most phishing pages transmit stolen information via email, Telegram bots, or attacker-controlled panels, before it enters underground resale channels.

Data stolen through phishing is rarely used only once: credentials from multiple campaigns are consolidated into data dumps and sold on dark web markets, in some cases for as little as $50. Buyers sort and verify the data to check whether accounts remain active and reusable across different services.

According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, average 2025 prices ranged from $0.90 for global Internet portals to $105 for crypto platforms and $350 for online banking access. Personal documents such as passports or ID cards sold for about $15 on average, with pricing influenced by account age, balance, linked payment methods, and security settings.

As datasets are enriched and combined, attackers can build detailed digital profiles that may later support targeted attacks on executives, finance staff, IT-administrators or individuals with valuable assets or personal documents.

“Our analysis shows that credentials account for nearly 90% of phishing attempts. Once collected, logins, passwords, phone numbers, and personal details are aggregated, checked, and resold, sometimes years after the initial theft.

Combined with new information, even old credentials can enable account takeovers and targeted attacks against both individuals and organisations.

By leveraging open-source intelligence and old breach data, attackers can craft highly personalised scams, turning one-time victims into long-term targets for identity theft, blackmail, or financial fraud,” said Olga Altukhova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.


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Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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