Global cybersecurity firm and anti-virus provider Kaspersky Lab is planning to open offices within the East Africa region.
The new offices will be based in Kigali, Rwanda following a decision made during a visit to the country by Kaspersky Lab chief executive Eugene Kaspersky during the Transform Africa Summit in mid-May.
Kaspersky Lab hopes to increase its footprint within the African market with the Rwanda office, potentially tapping into the region.
Cybersecurity in Rwanda’s neighbouring country Kenya fleeced Ksh29.8 billion from businesses within the country over the course of 2018.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), cyber threats in Kenya increased to over 10.2 million cyber events detected during the second quarter of 2018/19 as compared to 3.8 million in the previous quarter.
Kaspersky Lab said that its Kigali office will serve the growing number of partners and customers in the region. Additionally, the firm said it will offer cybersecurity solutions and services to industries and businesses of all kinds in Rwanda and the wider region.
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While attending the Transform Africa Summit, the Kaspersky CEO also met with Rwanda President Paul Kagame and discussed opportunities for collaboration with the Rwandan government in the fight against cyber threat.
“Governments and enterprises across Africa need an integrated approach to complex threat detection and response as they fight cybercriminals who have significant financial resources and are constantly looking to exploit any vulnerability,” said Eugene Kaspersky.
The cybersecurity company is famously known for its anti-virus, and operates in almost 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Its Kigali office, the firm said, will be the 36th representative office of the company around the globe in 32 countries.
Kaspersky Lab was formed in 1997 in by Eugene Kaspersky, his wife Natalya Kaspersky, and Alexey De-Monderik. It is a Russian company headquartered in Moscow.
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