Cybersecurity threats escalate for businesses in Nigeria and globally

cybersecurity threats malware attacks artificial intelligence quantum computing SMB security

Cybersecurity threats are evolving rapidly, posing significant risks to both small businesses and global enterprises. In Nigeria, Kaspersky reported blocking over 4.1 million online and on-device attack attempts during the first half of 2026. This included 1.6 million online attacks involving malware such as spyware and password stealers, alongside 2.5 million on-device threats like infected USB drives. In Africa, password-stealer detections rose by 51 percent over the past year, while spyware and backdoor detections also saw significant increases.

On a broader scale, KPMG’s 2026 report highlights that the cybersecurity landscape is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions, and the emergence of non-human identities. While AI helps defenders respond to threats, it also enables attackers to automate and scale their operations. Additionally, the potential for quantum computing to break current encryption standards is identified as a growing medium-term concern. Organizations are also facing increased pressure from fragmented global regulations regarding data sovereignty and digital safety.

Entities

KPMG · Kaspersky · Nigeria

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Rapid AI adoption, geopolitical tensions, and fragmented regulation are changing the responsibilities of CISOs. cyprus-mail.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Spyware detections rose by 16 percent and backdoor detections increased by 23 percent in Africa. businessamlive.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] AI serves as a double-edged sword, assisting defenders while allowing attackers to automate and scale attacks. cyprus-mail.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Quantum computing capable of breaking existing encryption is a medium-term cybersecurity concern. cyprus-mail.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Password-stealer detections in Africa increased by 51 percent over the past year. businessamlive.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Kaspersky blocked over 4.1 million online and on-device attack attempts in Nigeria during the first half of 2026. businessamlive.com

Sources

Why Nigeria’s smaller businesses are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals [businessamlive.com]

5 days ago

JSCeal Malware Can Bypass Google Authentication Using Stolen Session Cookies. - QUE. com [que.com]

4 days ago

Cybersecurity Best Practices Every Business Needs [www.xcitium.com]

3 days ago

Cybersecurity Stocks: 10 Biggest Companies in 2026 [investingnews.com]

3 days ago

AI, geopolitics and quantum threats put businesses on cyber alert [cyprus-mail.com]

5 days ago