E-Business

HP Top Cybersecurity Predictions for the Year

Published

4 years ago

January 11, 2022

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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By HP Inc. Security Experts & Advisors

From ransomware pile-ons to increasingly commoditized supply chain TTPs, weaponized firmware exploits and targeted attacks on hybrid workers – the threat landscape is set to evolve at a worrying pace this year.

As 2021 drew to a close, our HP security experts and advisors reflected on what the year 2022 has in store. Here, we include insights from a range of HP security experts – including: Michael Heywood, Supply Chain Security Lead; Joanna Burkey, CISO; Dr. Ian Pratt, Global Head of Security for Personal Systems; Patrick Schläpfer, Malware Analyst; Alex Holland, Senior Malware Analyst; Julia Voo, Global Lead Cybersecurity and Tech Policy; and Michael Howard, Head of Security and Analytics Practice; alongside HP Security Advisory Board member and Partner at Deloitte, Robert Masse – identifying four key trends to look out for.

Increasing commoditization of software supply chain attacks could result in more high-profile victims targeted

Supply chain attacks are likely to continue to present new opportunities for threat actors in 2022. According to Michael Heywood: “We’ll see supply chain attacks continue to rise in 2022 as threat actors search for weak links in software supply chains, targeting software being used widely and globally, or used by a specific company.”

As Joanna Burkey explains, this approach could create economies of scale for threat actors: “With the Kaseya breach – which impacted over 1,500 companies – we saw that supply chain attacks can be financially rewarding. This could lead to the continued commoditization of the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used to conduct such attacks. This only adds fuel to the fire, giving threat actors more than enough motivation to exploit software supply chains this year.”

Ian Pratt says both SMBs and high-profile victims may be targeted: “Kaseya demonstrated a pathway to monetization for independent software vendor (ISV) breaches. This should be a wakeup call to all ISVs that even if their customer base doesn’t consist of enterprise and government customers, they can still be caught in the crosshairs of attackers looking to exploit their customers. Now that this blueprint is in place, we could see these types of attack become more widespread this year, targeting both SMBs and high-profile names.”

Some verticals are more likely to be targets of supply chain attacks than others, as Robert Masse explains: “Healthcare firms, as well as those in Energy and Resources (E&R), that use lots of different hardware and software from various vendors will be interesting targets for software supply chain attacks. Supply chain integrity will be vital in 2022, as attackers begin launching attacks quicker than organizations can invest in secure software development cycles.”

Organizations should also be aware of the threat posed by vulnerabilities in open-source software, as Patrick Schläpfer explains: “We’ll see an increase in open-source software packages containing malicious code. Attackers will proactively inject new threats into open-source libraries that feed into software supply chains. This could lead to more companies being compromised, regardless of whether they have a secure perimeter or good overall posture.”

Ransomware gangs could put lives at risk and engage in ‘pile-ons’

Ransomware will continue to be a major risk this year, with victims potentially being hit more than once, as Burkey outlines: “What we’ll see will be akin to ‘social media pile-ons’, with ransomware victims repeatedly targeted by threat actors. Once an organization has been shown to be ‘soft’, others will pile-on to get their share of the action. In some instances, threat actors will hit a company multiple times in double or even triple dip extortion rackets.”

Extortion methods could also extend beyond the victim as ransomware gangs apply the pressure, comments Alex Holland: “Ransomware operators will almost certainly intensify the ways they pressure victims into paying their demands. Beyond data leak websites, attackers are using increasingly varied extortion methods, such as cold calling, and contacting customers and business associates of victim organizations.”

“Heywood highlights that ransomware gangs won’t just encrypt data, they will steal it too, turning the screws on victims: “As we have seen in 2021, threat actors will continue stealing data before encrypting devices, putting pressure on victims to pay ransoms to unencrypt systems, and prevent the release of data.”

Threat actors could also focus on specific verticals and use cases, as highlighted by Masse: “Attackers have noticed that hitting certain industries will produce a higher likelihood of payment. We could see more attacks on healthcare and E&R organizations.

“Threat actors may well target high risk devices, such as critical medical support systems and their supporting infrastructure, where the risk of significant harm will be highest and therefore a payout will come quickly. This has already started to happen in regions such as Canada, with surgeries being delayed due to ransomware attacks.”

The trend of cooperation between threat actors will continue this year too, as Pratt explains: “We’ve seen time and time again that threat actors are willing to cooperate on attacks. There is a vibrant cybercrime marketplace, empowering a criminal supply chain that enables even unsophisticated threat actors to obtain the tools and services needed to launch successful campaigns.

“Vendors may specialize in stealing credentials, creating exploits, writing email lures, or hosting backend services. The bottom line is that the availability of tools and expertise is enabling the sophistication of criminal attacks to rise.”

Weaponization of firmware attacks will lower the bar for entry

Masse believes a lack of visibility and control over firmware security will exacerbate the issue: “Certain industries where these attacks could be more probable should start thinking about the risks posed by the weaponization of hardware-level malware and exploits.

“They are very difficult to detect even in the best-case scenario. Rogue processes and memory mapping bypasses will be hot topics in 2022, and we can also expect to see threat actors targeting CPUs, the BIOS and microcode as part of a revised kill-chain for ransomware attacks.”

Policy makers should take note of this trend and enforce change, according to Julia Voo: “The weaponization of hardware-level exploits means that policy makers must step in to develop standards that can help to improve firmware security. By working with industry through a bottom-up approach, policy makers can drive meaningful change in an area that has largely been overlooked.”

Hybrid work and sporting events will create more opportunities to attack users

The distribution of teams within hybrid working models means identity management will continue to play a key role, as Burkey highlights: “Identity must be solid, verified and robust. Organizations need to make sure that every activity coming from an endpoint is authentic. Is it really the user conducting these activities? Are they who they say they are? Too many organizations think being behind a firewall is enough to keep an endpoint safe, but this isn’t true. In the era of hybrid work, identity management will never be more important.”

The shift to hybrid work will also continue to create problems for organizational security, says Michael Howard: “Every single employee remains a target for attackers, with the volume of unmanaged and unsecure devices creating a huge attack surface to defend.” Masse believes this could make it easier for attackers to go after high-profile staff: “Threat actors could start to target the homes and personal networks of top executives, even government officials, as these networks are easier to compromise than traditional enterprise environments.”

Phishing will remain an ever-present threat in the era of hybrid work, Pratt explains: “Employees have been using personal devices for work or corporate devices for personal tasks, like checking emails. This will continue, and it’s likely there will be an increase in phishing attacks targeting both corporate and personal email accounts. This essentially doubles attackers’ chances of launching a successful attack, so organizations need to educate the workforce on the risks of their behavior and enforce technical controls to prevent compromise.”

High-profile sporting events will also present new opportunities for attackers to target users, according to Schläpfer: “The Winter Olympics in Beijing and FIFA World Cup in Qatar give threat actors plenty of scope for exploitation. Such large events attract opportunistic attackers, be it a direct attack on organizers, sponsors, participants and fans, or as phishing lures for malware and ransomware campaigns targeted at users. Organizations and individuals alike need to be aware of the risks.”

A new approach to security is needed

“The rise of hybrid working and continued innovation from threat actors means 2022 has plenty of nasty surprises in store for enterprise security,” comments Ian Pratt. “As a result, we need to go about securing the future of work in an entirely different way. Organizations should embrace a new architectural approach to security that helps to mitigate risk and enable resilience.

“By applying the principles of Zero Trust – least privilege access, isolation, mandatory access control and strong identity management – organizations can drastically reduce the attack surface and secure the future of work.”

HP Wolf Security can help organizations defend against the plethora of new attacks and risks facing them in 2022. By combining hardware-enforced software and security features with industry-leading endpoint security services, HP Wolf Security provides defense-in-depth and enhanced protection, privacy, and threat intelligence, gathering data at the endpoint to help protect the business at large.

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E-Business

PwC Reveals AI Scaling Gap Slows Africa’s Digital Transformation

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3 days ago

February 7, 2026

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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African CEOs continue to trail their global counterparts in deploying artificial intelligence (AI) across business functions, as they remain stuck in experimental AI phases, finding it difficult to scale initiatives into enterprise-wide deployments.

This is one of the key findings of PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey: Africa perspective. It found that more than 150 CEOs in Africa who participated in the survey demonstrate strong operational resilience and reinvention as they navigate currency fluctuations, political uncertainty, infrastructure constraints and supply chain disruptions.

It highlights a slower pace of digital transformation that could limit long-term competitiveness in Africa. While awareness and early adoption of AI are growing, enterprise-wide deployment remains limited, according to the survey.

The survey was conducted from 30 September to 10 November 2025 and surveyed 4 454 CEOs across 95 countries, including Africa.

Skills shortages, fragmented data governance, underdeveloped cloud infrastructure and risk-averse investment strategies are preventing African organisations from moving beyond pilot projects into full-scale AI-driven transformation, it finds.

“AI adoption in Africa is real, but scaling it across the enterprise remains a challenge,” says Christiaan Nel, AI Africa leader at PwC South Africa. “Caution must be balanced with urgency − those investing modestly today risk falling behind competitors scaling rapidly.”

Finding their way

Despite these challenges, African CEOs demonstrate strong operational resilience. The survey shows that 81% are optimistic about improving economic conditions, well above the global average of 65%, while 47% are confident about revenue growth over the next year.

The survey underscores that AI adoption highlights a broader reinvention gap. Only 41% of CEOs have clear AI roadmaps, and 37% formalised responsible AI processes. Skills availability remains a major barrier, with just 37% confident in sourcing and retaining talent for AI initiatives.

PwC research shows that when AI is implemented effectively, African companies experience tangible benefits: 56% report increased employee productivity, 53% gain executive time, 23% see revenue growth, and 25% achieve cost reductions. This confirms that AI can drive efficiency and transformation, but only if infrastructure, governance and investment keep pace, notes the study.

Vikas Sharma, Africa cyber leader at PwC Mauritius, explains: “The challenge is structural. Fragmented cloud environments, unclear data governance and underdeveloped cyber security make scaling AI difficult. Without these foundations, AI initiatives remain tactical rather than transformational.”

Beyond AI, CEOs are using technology to reinvent products, reach new customers and modernise operations. PwC highlights that cloud, analytics and digital frameworks are essential enablers for enterprise-wide AI, helping leaders move from experimentation to transformation.

Importantly, African organisations are using technology to augment rather than replace employees, maintaining workforce stability while improving productivity, it states.

Ambition versus execution

Although 55% of African CEOs consider innovation critical to strategy, only 13% are willing to take high risks in innovation projects.

Underlying capabilities reveal the challenge: just 16% operate dedicated innovation centres, 25% have processes to stop underperforming research and development, and 29% rapidly test ideas with customers.

Lullu Krugel, chief economist and ESG leader at PwC South Africa, adds: “The leaders who build enduring businesses protect their core while creating the future. Operational strength alone is not enough; transformation must be bolder.”

Investment restraint is evident: 59% of respondents report little to no change in IT spending, and only 8% are willing to make large investments despite geopolitical uncertainty. Confidence in acquisitions is lower than the global average, with 40% planning growth through acquisition, compared to 46% globally.

Yet diversification offers a competitive-edge. Nearly half of African CEOs have entered new sectors through services and product offerings in the past five years, generating 24% of revenue from these ventures. Technology leads planned expansion efforts at 17%, followed by real estate, retail and transport/logistics.

PwC concludes that Africa’s CEOs have the ambition and resilience but must move from operational excellence to strategic reinvention. This requires embracing risk as a catalyst for transformation, strengthening digital infrastructure, investing in change leadership and aligning AI adoption with enterprise-wide strategy.

Hannelie Gilmour, consulting and transformation platform leader at PwC South Africa, concludes: “Africa is uniquely positioned to leapfrog global peers. Tomorrow’s stability comes from today’s innovation. CEOs who act decisively will shape the continent’s next chapter.”

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E-Business

Firm Reviews the Evolution of Phishing Threats in 2025

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4 days ago

February 6, 2026

Chike Onwuegbuchi

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A new Kaspersky review reveals how cybercriminals revived and refined phishing techniques to target individuals and businesses in 2025, including calendar-based attacks, voice message deceptions and sophisticated multi-factor authentication (MFA) bypass schemes.

The findings emphasise the critical need for user vigilance, employee training and advanced email protection solutions to counter these persistent threats moving forward.

Calendar-based phishing targets office workers

A tactic originally from the late 2010s, calendar-based phishing, has reemerged with a focus on B2B environments. Attackers send emails with calendar event invitations, often containing no body text, hiding malicious links in the event description.

When opened, the event auto-adds to the user’s calendar, with reminders urging them to click links leading to fake login pages, such as those mimicking Microsoft.

Previously aimed at Google Calendar users in mass campaigns, this method now targets office employees. Organisations should conduct regular phishing awareness training, such as simulated attack workshops, to teach employees to verify unexpected calendar invites.

Voice message phishing with CAPTCHA evasion

Phishers are deploying minimalist emails posing as voice message notifications, containing sparse text and a link to a basic landing page. Clicking the link triggers a chain of CAPTCHA verifications to bypass security bots, ultimately directing users to a fraudulent Google login page that validates email addresses and captures credentials.

This multi-layered deception highlights the need for employee training programmes, such as interactive modules on recognising suspicious links and advanced email server protection solutions like Kaspersky SecureMail, which detect and block such covert tactics.

MFA bypass via fake cloud service logins

These sophisticated phishing campaigns are targeting multi-factor authentication (MFA) by mimicking services like pCloud (a cloud storage provider that offers encrypted file storage, sharing and backup services).

These emails, disguised as neutral support follow-ups, lead to fake login pages on lookalike domains (e.g., pcloud.online). The pages interact with the real pCloud service via API, validating emails and prompting for OTP codes and passwords, granting attackers account access upon successful login.

To counter this, organisations should implement mandatory cybersecurity training and deploy email security solutions like Kaspersky Security for Mail Servers, which flags fraudulent domains and API-driven attacks.

“With phishing schemes growing more deceptive, Kaspersky urges users to treat unusual email attachments, like password-protected PDFs or QR codes, with caution and verify website URLs before entering any credentials.

“Organisations should adopt comprehensive training programmes, which includes real-world simulations and best practices for spotting phishing attempts. Additionally, deploying robust email server protection solutions ensures real-time detection and blocking of advanced phishing tactics,” comments Roman Dedenok, Anti-Spam Expert at Kaspersky.

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E-Business

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Published

5 days ago

February 5, 2026

Ebere Melum-Nwogbo

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Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.

Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.

“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.

He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.

“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.

In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.

The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.

“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.

“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.

“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.

Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.

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