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Delegate Responsibility not Accountability- Keele

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Allen Keele is a certified fraud examiner, information security manager, information systems auditor and information systems security professional, among 20 other professional and technical accreditations. He shares over 17 years of experience in information security and risk management, including nine years of conducting professional advanced business lectures and seminars across the globe. Keele spoke to hilary okeke on a range of issues.

Training on Fraud Detection and Management
In information security, one of the most important things we have is not always having information security itself but having the internal control to be sure that we have information security. I wrote the text that most people use to prepare for Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA) exams around the world. In that context, a lot of the controls that the internal auditors monitor have to do with controlling internal breaches and abuse. So, it would make logical sense to extend my auditors knowledge and expertise and interest into internal fraud detection and management. I was shocked to find in my younger days that 90 percent of frauds can be detected through the books. So many organizations tell you that they have no fraud problem but when you take a careful look, you find that there actually is a problem. People device all kinds of means to get money out their organizations without doing anything on the book. That was very concerning to me as an auditor. Fraud in itself is a disaster for an organization. It could lead to loss of market share if made public. Organizations need to be prepared for that kind of disaster just the same way they prepare for fire. So that is why we extended our training to business continuity, disaster recovery, as well as a new perspective on fraud. There are lots of folks out there who offer training on business continuity and disaster recovery, but what we are doing that is unique in the market is that we are not trying to project our best practices; we are teaching according to the new British standard – BS 25999. It is a new international standard designed to keep your business going during the most challenging and unexpected circumstances. It provides a basis for understanding, developing, implementing and managing business continuity within your organization and gives you confidence when dealing with stakeholders both within and outside your organization. BS 25999 has been developed by a group of experts representing a cross-section of industry sectors and governmental organizations which is reflected in its applicability. The standard is suitable for any organization, large or small, from any sector. It is particularly relevant for those that operate in a high risk environment such as the finance, telecommunications, transport, utilities and public sectors, where there is need for continuity. I have had a lot of organizations tell me they went for training a couple of years ago – the British standard may have existed a couple of years ago for training, but it just got ratified recently. There was no standard prior to BS 25999. So, this is a whole new world in terms of getting the certification to prove that your organization has the ability to manage fraud and disaster. Often times, organizations do things because regulators make them. Now more than ever, you have financial regulators requiring you to prove that you have strong control against fraud but you do not even have a fraud policy.
Best Security Strategy for an Organization
The best security strategy is first, to have one. Whether it is fraud, business continuity or information security; organizations have this odd tendency to casually appoint people within the organization to handle those areas. They point to the IT or compliance person – somebody who does not understand that area, and that person has to go and figure out what controls to put in place to get things working. So the problem is that currently, there is no strategy. Nobody has stopped to think “we need to be at 95 percent for fraud capacity at all times, no matter what.” They leave it up to the discretion of people who are not actually accountable for the business. That is wrong! Maybe you have an inexpensive web server that manages your brand new e-commerce that supports 90 percent of your business but because it was not expensive, your IT manager complains that it goes down all the time and that he is going to have it replaced in two weeks. Two weeks for e-commerce? That is why we said that the most important strategy is to have one. It is not just my idea, it is ISO 27001 standard for information security, which instructs that you get a strategy in place. I have always recommended that organizations should first have the right people that are actually accountable for that decision and have them make the decisions for a change. You can delegate responsibility but you cannot delegate accountability.
Networking and Telecommunication in Auditing, Internal Control
ICT has a very important role to play in internal control because auditors control access to information which IT does too. Auditors also control how information is used and how transactions are processed. Over the years, automated control organizes business functions and that has reduced loss of money. So, IT is able to put controls in place but then again, depending on how well it is managed, there might also be some vulnerability. In detecting and managing fraud, you need asset combination. I have often asked people in my classes if their organizations are committed to preventing, detecting and minimizing fraud. And they say yes, absolutely! I ask them to show me a policy that says: “Our organization does not want fraud, and this is what we are going to do to stop it.” They have no fraud policy! Shockingly, a policy is nothing more than a statement of management that states the way things are done within an organization. If you say that controlling fraud is a good objective, where is the policy that not only says it is wrong but also says here is who should be looking for it; here is who should be investigating it and here is what we do if we find it. A fraud policy is where senior managers say “not only am I going to accept responsibility, but I will accept accountability for something going wrong.”
Legal and Ethical Issues Facing IT Auditors
The legal and ethical issues are similar for IT auditors as they are for financial auditors. As an IT auditor, it is possible that you would be dealing with irregular or illegal acts. Towards that end, you have to be careful whom you release information to – there is always tendency for you to be exposed to sensitive information about an organization that you have to protect. As you are investigating issues, you have to be sure that you do not breach privacy laws. For instance, there are laws now that protect account information for people who have bank accounts. Imagine if during the course of an IT audit, the auditor compromised your account, and your account number and access code was made public. That auditor could be in for a lot of legal hassle.

 

 


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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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