Kaspersky’s strategic vision for Sub-Saharan Africa under new General Manager
Kaspersky considers Africa to be a priority market, as it is incredibly important to safeguard the region’s digital future.
This is according to the newly appointed General Manager for Kaspersky Sub-Saharan Africa, Chris Norton.
Norton has over 30 years of IT industry experience and is deeply committed to advancing technology in African markets.
“The opportunity to lead Kaspersky’s efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region with immense potential and unique challenges, was a compelling next step for me,” said Norton.
He is excited because Kaspersky continues to invest heavily in the region in an attempt to drive positive technological change.
This has yielded great results for the company since it first entered the region in 2009.
In 2024, Kaspersky saw a 19% increase in regional sales — a clear signal of market confidence.
Commitment to excellence
In his new role, Norton will build on this momentum by deepening engagement with local partners, enhancing cybersecurity awareness, and demonstrating how Kaspersky’s solutions are uniquely positioned to serve African businesses and individuals.
“In 2024 alone, Kaspersky participated in 95 independent tests and reviews, with its products being awarded first place 91 times – achieving the highest results among all competitors for the 12th time in a row,” said Norton.
It is therefore critical for the Sub-Saharan Africa region that Kaspersky continues to play a key role in its digital growth trajectory, as this journey has also unearthed escalating cyber threats.
“Phishing and ransomware are serious cyber threats that are active in the local region,” said Norton.
“Most of the cybersecurity breaches that have been publicly discussed in recent years were related to ransomware.”
“While the number of victims might not be considered large, the damage caused by even one breach is hard to underestimate,” said Norton.
Norton also noted the increasing prevalence of AI-powered phishing using social engineering techniques, as well as mobile malware including banking trojans. Organisations should pay special attention to advanced persistent threats involving a wide variety of cyberattack methods.
How Kaspersky protects Sub-Saharan Africa
Kaspersky offers a comprehensive suite of security solutions tailored to the region’s needs – spanning endpoint protection, cloud security, threat intelligence, and security awareness training.
These offerings are underpinned by the work of Kaspersky’s global Expertise Centres, including the renowned Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), which tracks and counters advanced persistent threats globally.
Norton also believes strong local partnerships are key to driving cybersecurity progress in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“My experience has taught me the value of building strong, trust-based relationships within the team and with partners and customers,” said Norton.
“At Kaspersky, I plan to leverage this to drive mutual success.”
Looking ahead, Norton is optimistic about the opportunities for Kaspersky to driving meaningful change in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The potential for growth and positive change in Sub-Saharan Africa is immense, and I’m honoured to be part of this journey,” said Norton.
“By empowering individuals and organisations with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves, we can contribute to a safer, more secure digital environment.”
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