In a sweeping initiative to protect Kenya’s digital business landscape, Safaricom, Cloudflare, and systems integrator Copy Cat have launched an ambitious collaboration aimed at fortifying the cybersecurity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

With cyber threats growing more sophisticated by the day, the partnership promises to offer comprehensive and affordable digital security solutions, putting powerful protection within reach for even the smallest businesses.

Through this partnership, Safaricom will be delivering Cloudflare’s cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, hosted locally in Kenya’s data centres.

The services include high-demand protections like zero-trust architecture and advanced email security systems—key to shielding enterprises from the ever-looming digital dangers.

The real breakthrough, however, lies in the cost: businesses can secure these services for as little as Sh5,000 per month per site.

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Even better, the full range of protection, covering application and network security, will be set up and operational within hours, a remarkable leap in accessibility for Kenyan MSMEs struggling with digital risks.

Data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) paints a stark picture of the situation.

Between April and June 2024, the country witnessed a 16.5 per cent spike in cyberattacks, with a jaw-dropping 1.1 billion incidents recorded in just three months.

This dramatic rise highlights the urgent need for businesses to strengthen their digital defences as they dive deeper into digitisation.

Cynthia Kropac, Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, emphasised the partnership’s potential to transform how MSMEs approach security.

“Our mission is to deliver robust cybersecurity measures that are not only powerful but also accessible to businesses of all sizes,” she explained, underscoring the importance of this collaboration in the face of growing cyber risks.

Graham Turnbull, Managing Executive at Cloudflare, expressed similar optimism.

He praised the alliance for bringing sophisticated security solutions closer to business owners, allowing them to focus on enhancing productivity and customer service without the constant anxiety over digital vulnerabilities.

“This partnership gives businesses the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely, allowing them to grow and innovate with confidence,” Turnbull said.

For Kenyan MSMEs, this initiative is more than just a safety net—it’s a vital step towards thriving in an increasingly interconnected, and often perilous, digital environment.

With affordable, comprehensive protection now within easy reach, businesses can focus on what they do best, secure in the knowledge that their digital infrastructure is safeguarded.