Africa’s e-security is the worst among all continents

Africa’s e-security index is the worst among all continents, according to the latest edition of Surfshark’s Digital Quality of Life Index. It scores at least 42% lower than the global average and 64% lower than Europe’s average.

The well-respected e-security index includes an evaluation of a country’s cybersecurity (how well a country can counter cybercrime) and the quality of data protection laws. Europe is the continent with the best average e-security.

“Electronic security is crucial in keeping a country and its residents safe,” says Surfshark’s lead researcher Agneska Sablovskaja.

“Without adequate security tools and laws, cybercriminals may be able to steal and sell people’s sensitive information for a profit, which is something that we’ve seen a lot of in the recent past. Surfshark’s Digital Quality of Life Index can help authorities and citizens open their eyes to this big problem and work proactively to solve it.”

When cybercriminal groups thrive

Sablovskaja warns that over the past four years, cybercriminal group OPERA1ER hacked 12 African countries through more than 30 separate attacks. Targets included telecommunication companies and financial institutions and resulted in a loss of at least $11 million for the 12 African countries.

Attacks like these are easiest to commit in countries with low e-security.

E-security in African countries

Of all African countries analysed, Morocco has the best e-security, while the Democratic Republic of Congo comes in last.

• Morocco has an e-security index of 0.56 (97% higher than Africa’s average) and is followed by Mauritius and Tunisia.
• Congo DR comes in last with an index of 0.01 (95% lower than Africa’s average). Just ahead of Congo DR are Botswana and Tanzania.
• Globally, South Africa ranked 66th out of 117 countries. It is, however, the African country with the best e-security.
• Kenya ranks 5th in Africa and 78th in the global rankings. Researchers noted a slight improvement in Kenya’s e-security when compared to last year.

The Digital Quality of Life Index examined more than 7.2 billion people regarding five core pillars and 14 underpinning indicators that provide a comprehensive measure. The study is based on the United Nations open-source information, the World Bank, Freedom House, the International Communications Union, and other sources.

This year’s study includes seven more countries than the 2021 study, most of which are African countries. Click here for the full Digital Quality of Life 2022 report and interactive country comparison.

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