Government, Energy, and Telecom Sectors Identified as Primary APT Targets in Africa

Kaspersky researchers have identified Government, Energy, and Telecommunication institutions as primary targets for Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups in Africa. With nine active threat actors targeting organizations across the continent, Kaspersky’s latest intelligence offers crucial insights into the evolving threat landscape.

 Key Findings from Kaspersky’s Research

Kaspersky’s experts monitor APTs closely, uncovering complex and persistent cyber threats. These groups, often driven by espionage, financial gain, or hacktivism, have been particularly active in Africa. Among the most notable threat actors are MuddyWater, FruityArmor, and Sidewinder. Kaspersky collaborates with legal authorities, providing essential intelligence to help track and apprehend cybercriminals.

APT groups employ a variety of sophisticated methods to breach their targets. Common tactics include social engineering, such as fake job advertisements targeting software developers on social media or email. Additionally, these groups use advanced modular malware like DeadGlyph and StealerBot and weaponize legitimate remote applications and cloud platforms. The MuddyWater APT group, for instance, uses these techniques to penetrate targeted sites. Moreover, these groups can exploit third-party providers to infiltrate victims through supply-chain attacks.

Amin Hasbini, Head of Global Research and Analysis for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky, emphasized the critical nature of understanding and countering APT activities: “The current geopolitical climate is a hotbed for APT activity. Investigating these attacks and gaining intelligence on their movement is vital for security teams and corporations in Africa. Our research allows businesses and government entities to determine the significance of the threat posed, understand the attackers’ next move, and accordingly take appropriate security steps to protect themselves.”

Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) publishes detailed reports on every APT investigation. These reports, available on Kaspersky’s Threat Intelligence Portal, provide crucial APT detection and forensic capabilities, enabling effective mitigation and remediation.

To safeguard against APT attacks, Kaspersky recommends the following measures:

– Limit Third-Party Access: Continuously inspect access within the supply chain.

– Implement EDR Solutions: Use endpoint detection and response solutions like Kaspersky Next for timely remediation of incidents.

– Adopt Advanced Threat Detection: Use corporate-grade security solutions such as Kaspersky Anti Targeted Attack Platform to detect threats at an early stage.

– Secure Critical Infrastructure: Utilize security solutions for operational technology endpoints and networks, such as Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity.

– Upskill Cybersecurity Teams: Enhance skills with Kaspersky’s online training developed by GReAT experts.

– Educate Employees: Provide cybersecurity courses through platforms like Kaspersky Security Awareness Platform.

As APT groups continue to evolve and adapt, Kaspersky’s ongoing research and intelligence play a vital role in helping organizations in Africa defend against these advanced threats. By implementing recommended security measures and staying informed through comprehensive reporting, businesses and government entities can better protect themselves from APT attacks.