Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity company, has opened a Transparency Center in Kigali, Africa, as part of its efforts to enhance cybersecurity in the region. The move comes as the digital transformation in Africa gathers pace, with internet penetration steadily increasing. According to the World Bank, broadband internet access in Africa has grown from 26% in 2019 to 36% in 2022. The African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy aims to digitally empower all people in Africa by 2030, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
The Transparency Center in Kigali will be accessible to Kaspersky’s partners, customers, and cybersecurity regulators. It offers a blue piste review option, which has been popular among visitors to Kaspersky’s other Transparency Centers since they were first opened in 2018. This option provides an overview of Kaspersky’s engineering and data processing practices, allowing visitors to ask questions and learn more about the company’s solutions. It also offers the opportunity to improve skills in assessing the security of ICT products through Kaspersky’s Cyber Capacity Building Program.
The opening of the Transparency Center in Africa was welcomed by the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), which highlighted the importance of transparency in combating potential security risks arising from technology use. AFRIPOL acknowledged Kaspersky’s commitment to transparency and its track record of collaborating with law enforcement agencies to fight cybercrime.
With this new facility in Africa, Kaspersky now operates a total of 11 Transparency Centers worldwide. The company’s Global Transparency Initiative, launched in 2017, underpins its dedication to enhancing transparency in the cybersecurity industry. As part of this initiative, Kaspersky became the first cybersecurity vendor to disclose its source code for external review.
Genie Sugene Gan, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa regions at Kaspersky, highlighted the growing emphasis on cybersecurity in Africa and the need for capacity building in the region. The Transparency Center aims to address local market needs and provide education in critical areas such as product security evaluation and secure development processes.
Kaspersky’s Global Transparency Initiative is focused on building digital trust by disclosing how the company operates and ensuring the reliability of its products and processes. Through this initiative, Kaspersky actively involves the broader community in validating and verifying its cybersecurity solutions.
The opening of the Transparency Center in Kigali marks a significant milestone for both Kaspersky and the region as it brings essential capacity-building capabilities and best cybersecurity practices to Africa. As the digital transformation continues to shape the African landscape, initiatives like these play a crucial role in ensuring a secure and trusted digital environment.
