Exploring Cybersecurity Career Opportunities in Africa’s Tech Boom

By /

Listen to this Post

Featured Image

Introduction

As Africa’s tech industry grows, demand for cybersecurity professionals is surging. Companies like SeamlessHR are driving workforce productivity, creating opportunities for skilled IT experts. This article explores key technical skills and commands needed to secure roles in this evolving landscape.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand critical cybersecurity commands for Linux/Windows.
  • Learn cloud security hardening techniques.
  • Explore API security and vulnerability mitigation.

1. Linux Security: Hardening SSH Access

Command:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Steps:

1. Disable root login: Set `PermitRootLogin no`.

2. Restrict protocols: Use `Protocol 2`.

3. Limit user access: Add `AllowUsers

`.</h2>

<h2 style="color: yellow;">4. Restart SSH: `sudo systemctl restart sshd`.</h2>

<h2 style="color: yellow;">Why?</h2>

<h2 style="color: yellow;">Prevents brute-force attacks and unauthorized root access.</h2>

<h2 style="color: yellow;">2. Windows: Detecting Suspicious Processes</h2>

<h2 style="color: yellow;">Command (PowerShell):</h2>

[bash]
Get-Process | Where-Object { $_.CPU -gt 90 } | Format-Table -AutoSize

Steps:

1. Run PowerShell as admin.

2. Execute command to list high-CPU processes.

3. Investigate unknown processes using `Task Manager`.

Why?

Identifies potential malware or cryptojacking activity.

3. Cloud Hardening: AWS S3 Bucket Security

Command (AWS CLI):

aws s3api put-bucket-policy --bucket [bucket-name] --policy file://policy.json

Steps:

1. Create a `policy.json` file denying public access.

2. Apply policy via CLI.

3. Verify: `aws s3api get-bucket-policy –bucket [bucket-name]`.

Why?

Mitigates data leaks from misconfigured cloud storage.

4. API Security: Testing for SQL Injection

Tool: OWASP ZAP

Steps:

1. Install ZAP and configure target API endpoint.

2. Run “Active Scan” with SQLi payloads.

3. Analyze results for vulnerabilities like `UNION`-based attacks.

Mitigation:

Use parameterized queries:

cursor.execute("SELECT  FROM users WHERE id = %s", (user_id,))

5. Vulnerability Mitigation: Patching with Linux

Command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Steps:

1. Regularly update package lists.

2. Apply security patches automatically.

Why?

Closes exploits like CVE-2023-38408 (OpenSSH vulnerability).

What Undercode Say

  • Key Takeaway 1: Africa’s tech expansion requires localized cybersecurity upskilling.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Automation (e.g., AWS CLI, PowerShell) is critical for scalable security.

Analysis:

The LinkedIn post highlights Africa’s demand for IT talent, but securing these roles requires hands-on expertise. Commands like SSH hardening and AWS S3 policies are baseline skills. As remote work grows, expect 30% more attacks on cloud infrastructure by 2026—making these skills non-negotiable.

Prediction

By 2027, African tech hubs will face 5x more targeted cyberattacks, prioritizing roles with offensive/defensive security skills. Companies like SeamlessHR will invest in AI-driven threat detection, merging DevOps and cybersecurity (DevSecOps).

Note: Replace placeholders like `[bucket-name]` with actual values in commands.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Seamlesshr Ltd – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Related Posts: