The partnership will leverage Liquid Telecom’s fibre network, data centres and cloud-based solutions with Serianu’s security monitoring and analytics solutions to offer end-to-end protection for various businesses.
This means that in addition to providing organisations with connectivity and hosting solutions, Liquid Telecom are now able to offer cybersecurity assessment, monitoring, training and incident response using a combination of consulting, managed services and threat intelligence from Serianu.
“Through this partnership with Serianu, Liquid Telecom is not only ensuring that customers using our network and data centres facilities have access to the very latest cybersecurity solutions, but that we are also raising the overall level of cybersecurity standards and practices across the region,” said Ben Roberts, Group CTIO at Liquid Telecom.
Customers using Liquid’s network and data centre facilities will now be offered advanced monitoring and incident response services using Serianu’s security operations centre (SOC) in Nairobi. In addition, customers will also have access to Serianu’s Africa Cyber Immersion Center in Nairobi. This research, innovation and training facility enables businesses to test their cybersecurity capabilities and train IT professionals in both public and private sectors.
“Supporting local businesses and initiatives is one of the key pillars that both Serianu and Liquid Telecom share in common. Through this partnership, we will explore new ways to empower existing and future customers with quality, home-grown cybersecurity solutions that will help reduce the risk and cost from cybercrime across the region,” added William Makatiani, CEO of Serianu.
According to Serianu’s latest figures cyber-crime in Africa reached a cost of $3.5 million in 2017. Of the organisations surveyed in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana, 90% of them are significantly exposed to cybersecurity risks, largely due to poor investment in cybersecurity tools and services.
“These organisations are all operating below the cybersecurity poverty line; a point at which an organisation cannot sufficiently protect itself from fraudsters,” said Makatiani.