Cybersecurity Expert Nancy Muriithi's Mission to ‘Protect What Matters' in Africa's Digital World
'I've always been fascinated by technology, but the turning point came when I realized just how much cybersecurity influences businesses, governments, and individuals,' Muriithi said in a recent interview with Morocco World News (MWN). 'I saw it as more than just a career — it's a mission to protect what matters in an increasingly digital world.'
Muriithi's journey in cybersecurity started when she took the position in the company as the lead security engineer focused on penetration testing, ethically breaking into systems to expose vulnerabilities. Her career has since evolved to cover cloud security, risk management, and compliance initiatives across Platcorp Group's financial services operations.
What distinguishes her approach? A holistic vision of security that extends beyond firewalls and encryption. 'Cyber threats are often people-driven,' she notes, pointing to the importance of continuous education for employees at all levels. This human-centered philosophy drives her work both within corporate settings and through community initiatives.
Addressing Africa's unique security challenges
Africa's digital transformation is happening at lightning speed, creating a complex security landscape with distinctive obstacles, of which are the critical regulatory gaps and limited cybersecurity awareness, while experiencing rapid technological adoption.
'With more businesses moving to the cloud, we ensure that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of our architecture,' the Kenyan cybersecurity expert says of her work at Platcorp.
As a financial services company handling sensitive customer data, her team prioritizes compliance with emerging data privacy regulations across African markets.
Beyond her corporate role, Muriithi is passionately committed to developing local talent. She actively participates in SheHacks KE, an initiative that trains and empowers women in cybersecurity.
'Addressing Africa's challenges means building local cybersecurity talent, enforcing regulatory standards, and fostering cross-industry collaboration,' she adds.
GITEX Africa 2025: a hub for cybersecurity innovation
Looking ahead to GITEX Africa 2025, Muriithi sees the tech exhibition as a critical forum for addressing the continent's evolving cybersecurity landscape.
'Events like GITEX provide a platform to share knowledge, collaborate, and build solutions tailored to Africa's needs,' she says.
Muriithi anticipates that AI-driven security, regulatory compliance, and supply chain vulnerabilities will dominate discussions at the GITEX Africa 2025's Cybersecurity Forum.
For Muriithi, GITEX represents more than just a technology showcase — it's an opportunity to build partnerships that strengthen Africa's cybersecurity posture. She believes the conference will shed more light on how African organizations are navigating the balance between rapid digital transformation and security best practices against cybercrime.
'I'm looking forward to the discussions and innovations that will shape the future of cybersecurity on the continent,' she says, elevating the importance of such gatherings for advancing continental and regional expertise and solutions.
Looking towards a cyber-secure future
When discussing emerging trends, Muriithi's insights reveal both concern and opportunity. She anticipates AI-driven attacks becoming more sophisticated, with cybercriminals leveraging artificial intelligence to create convincing phishing attempts and deepfake scams.
'While AI is revolutionizing security defenses, attackers are also using AI to automate attacks,' she warns. Simultaneously, she points to Zero Trust Architecture as a crucial shield for African organizations migrating to cloud environments.
For the financial sector specifically — a prime target for cybercriminals in Africa — Muriithi sees ransomware attacks evolving in sophistication. This threat landscape coincides with increasing regulatory pressures as more African countries implement data privacy laws and regulations.
Despite technological advancements, she maintains that human error remains cybersecurity's weakest link.
'No matter how advanced technology gets, human error remains a weak link,' she ponders, pointing out the continued importance of addressing social engineering, insider threats, and cybersecurity culture.
A certified CISSP professional, Muriithi approaches these challenges with both technical expertise and a leadership mindset. Her dual focus on securing systems and developing people positions her as a significant voice in Africa's cybersecurity community.
In an era where Africa's emerging tech advances are on the rise, one thing is for sure – innovators like Nancy Murithi are needed more than ever to protect Africans from cyberthreats. Don't miss the chance to hear more about her vision at GITEX's Cybersecurity Forum, which will run from April 14-15. Tags: Africa CybersecurityCybersecuritygitexGITEX Africa 2025
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