Safeguard companies against cyber threats

rising cyber threats confronting the country, an IT expert has said.
Mr Kalpesh Maheshwari, of Elitecore Technologies – an Indian company that distributes Cyberoam products internationally – said cyber crimes were growing rapidly as the number of actors with the tools and abilities to use computers against companies are rising.
“More and more companies are increasingly becoming vulnerable as the Zimbabwean economy and critical infrastructures become increasingly reliant on interdependent computer networks and the World Wide Web.”
Mr Maheshwari told local IT experts at the launch of Cyberoam Unified Threat Management appliances in Harare on Tuesday that it was critical for local companies to move with speed to adopt comprehensive IT security solutions to curb possible large scale computer attacks on Zimbabwe’s critical infrastructure.
“If you do not change your IT solutions, there could be potentially devastating results given rising cases of cyber crime,” he said.
“Cyberoam helps to give you the best IT security solutions with its unique user level policies. Cyberoam’s multi-core technology offers high security without compromising on performance by allowing processing of multiple security features.”
This, he said, allows effective management of dynamic content-based threats. Integrated Digital Security Solutions, a Harare-based IT company is the sole distributor of Cyberoam appliances in Zimbabwe. IDSS got distributorship early this year.
“IDSS is committed to building smart partnerships with global companies that share the same vision to improve IT security solutions and customer care in Zimbabwe,” said Onias Ndebele, the chief executive of IDSS.
“We want to secure Zimbabwe’s cyberspace using modern technologies that are both reliable, effective and affordable.”
He said IDSS in partnership with Cyberoam would run training workshops to enhance awareness on cyber threats and Cyberoam UTM appliances that can minimise these threats.
“Cyberoam UTM appliances offer comprehensive security to small, medium and large enterprises through multiple security features integrated over a single platform,” said Maheshwari.
“It offers complete visibility and control over user activities showing who is doing what anywhere in the network and enables companies to take network security decisions based on usernames and not just IP addresses.”
Mr Ndebele said more than 30 companies were using Cyberoam UTM appliances at present and the figures were growing.
“We are optimistic about growth in the number of Cyberoam users in the country. In East and West Africa Cyberoam UTM is quite popular and many companies are seeing the value,” said Ndebele.
IT experts say cyber threats fall into two distinct categories: threats affecting national security that emerged with internet technology, such as cyber terrorism, foreign-based computer intrusions and cyber theft of sensitive data.
The other is traditional criminal activity facilitated by computers and the internet, such as theft of intellectual property, on-line sexual exploitation of children, and Internet fraud.
In both categories, cyber attacks, intrusions, illicit file sharing, and illegal use of cyber
tools are the basic instruments used by perpetrators.
IT experts say foreign terrorist organisations, foreign intelligence actors, and criminal enterprises are increasingly using encryption technology to secure their communications and to exercise command and control over operations and people without fear of surveillance.
Recognising the international aspects and national economic implications of cyber threats, Mr Ndebele said it was critical for local companies to utilise modern technologies and Cyberoam UTM appliances to guard against cyber attacks and other illegal intrusions.
Cyberoam UTM appliances identify and control users through identification, policy-setting and reporting by username, offer security even in dynamic IP environments like DHCP and Wi-Fi and allows binding of user identity with IP addresses.
It also allows realtime threat control through identity-based reporting on usage and threat patterns of individual users as well as facilitating regulatory compliance.
“Cyber crime is real and can costs companies huge sums of money. Zimbabwean companies need modern technologies such as Cyberoam UTM to fight these crimes.
“They can save huge sums of money by deploying Cyberoam,” said Maheshwari.
Organised criminal enterprises using the internet for fraudulent activities present a significant and increasing criminal threat in the cyber arena.
“Typically, one or more components of the Internet is used to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, conduct fraudulent transactions, or transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or others connected with the scheme,” said Mr Ndebele.
“Local companies need to manage these cyber threats as e-commerce is growing in all sectors of the Zimbabwean economy.
“When internet users – whether they are businesses or consumers – are crippled by Internet fraud schemes, the viability of e-commerce is compromised, adversely impacting the national economy.”