Cybersecurity, also known as computer security, or just IT security, is the practice of protecting information technology resources from intrusion by bad actors who want to steal, destroy, or gain unauthorized access to systems, data, or hardware, or who want to divert or otherwise sabotage the services that these systems are meant to provide.
The field has become more important as “smart” devices like smartphones, smart TVs, and the many gadgets that make up the “Internet of Things” have become more common. Improvements in computer systems, the Internet, and wireless network standards like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have also played a role.
Cybersecurity is one of the most important issues of our time because of how complicated information systems and the society they serve are. Systems that control large-scale systems with far-reaching physical effects, like the distribution of electricity, elections, and banking, need security measures the most.
Examples of African indigenous knowledge or cultural issues relevant to the understanding of cybersecurity are replete. Two of such examples are as follows:
A Traditional Agricultural Practice
In several African villages, when farmers plant their crops such as maize, cassava, beans or vegetables, these plants are not just at the mercy of bad weather but at straying devourers such as goats and sheep. Farmers are usually distraught by this unwelcome circumstance. In many traditional African societies, farmers take intelligent steps to secure their plants since these crops constitute their livelihoods. Part of the security measures they take include deploying humanoid scarecrows to ward off the predatory army of goats, sheep, cattle and other animals.
In similar vein, computerized systems, networks and data are valuable resources that require urgent steps to secure them. Cybersecurity is reflective of the African farmer’s deployment of humanoid scarecrows to secure his farm. Networks, computer systems and data require protection from malwares, viruses, etc. Firewalls and antiviruses could, therefore, be seen as contemporary typologies of the humanoid scarecrows used by African farmers.
An African Folklore – The Midnight Goat Thief: An Ndebele folktale from Zimbabwe
Once upon a time, Hare, tired of living alone, decided it was time to find himself a companion. He decided to make the journey to the neighboring village to meet his future in-laws. As was customary, he needed someone to accompany him on this important occasion. So, he asked his long-time friend and happy-go-lucky fellow Baboon. He readily agreed. Then, Hare and Baboon were on their way to the in-laws.
When they were half through the journey, Hare stopped Baboon near a dense shrub and said, “Say friend Baboon, there is one important favor I need to ask of you.”
“Yes, friend Hare, let me know what it is I can do.”
‘Do you see this herb?’ said Hare.
“Yes, friend. It is the herb used to cure a tummy ache,” said Baboon.
“Well done friend!” said Hare. “When we get to my in-law’s place, they will give us food. When I eat the food, I may suffer from a tummy ache. Friend, you will quickly run back to this exact place, to this shrub. Dig up the roots and bring them back to cure me.” Baboon agreed and they continued their journey.
At sunset, they reached the in-law’s village. Hare and Baboon were well received and given a room to rest. Both Hare and Baboon were hungry and looked forward to the meal. A feast was made in their honor and brought to their room. As they took the first bite of the meal, Hare interrupted Baboon.
“Friend, I think that problem is already starting. My tummy is rumbling and is starting to ache. Do you remember the herb? Rush and get me some of it! Otherwise, I may not survive the night!”
Baboon panicked and quickly sprinted off to get the herb for Hare’s tummy. Meanwhile, Hare settled comfortably and devoured the whole feast all alone. When he had his fill, he called for the dishes to be removed. Soon, Baboon, huffing and puffing, tumbled into the room with the herb.
“Here you are friend, I ran as fast as I could. I found the tree. I dug the roots and I brought them to cure your aching tummy!” Hare exclaimed, “Hmm, about that … ! As soon as you left my tummy suddenly felt better and I could eat. Now I feel quite strong!”
“So, where is my food then?” asked Baboon. Hare told Baboon the host had cleared the dishes. Baboon was disappointed but the two friends went to sleep.
In the middle of the night, hunger kept Baboon awake. Hare suggested a plan to steal and eat a goat from the pen outside. Baboon readily agreed to the plan and soon the two pals accomplished their mission and returned to their room.
But lo and behold, while Baboon slept, Hare stealthily smeared him with the blood of the goat they had just eaten, which he had secretly brought with him to the room.
In the morning, the hosts woke up to find their goat missing. They questioned the two friends who both denied the crime until they saw Baboon stained with blood. He was apprehended and killed. Hare apologized for his friend’s behavior, thanked his hosts and left.
Meanwhile, Jackal, a friend to Baboon, received word on how Hare had tricked his friend and led him to his death. Jackal decided to avenge Baboon’s death. So, Jackal visited Hare and asked for his company to his in-law’s village. In the same manner, as they were halfway through the journey, Jackal asked Hare,
“Say friend Hare, there is one important favor I need to ask of you.”
“Yes, friend Jackal, let me know what it is I can do.”
“Do you see this herb?” said Jackal
“Yes, friend. It is the herb used to cure a tummy ache.”
“Well done friend,” said Jackal. “When we get to my in-law’s place, they will give us food. When I eat the food, I may suffer from a tummy ache.
Friend, you will quickly run back to this exact place, to this shrub. Dig up the roots and bring them back to cure me.”
Hare agreed but before they continued their journey he excused himself for a bathroom break. Without Jackal noticing, Hare secretly dug up the roots of the shrub and hid them away. They continued their journey. At sunset, they reached the in-laws’ village.
As usual, the visitors are welcomed, given a room and they retire for some rest. Soon, food was served.
“Friend,” said Jackal, “I think that problem is already starting. My tummy is rumbling and is starting to ache. Do you remember the herb? Rush and get me some of it! Otherwise, I may not survive the night!” Immediately, Hare produced the herb and Jackal had no choice but to share the meal with Hare.
Again, in the middle of the night, Jackal woke Hare up, spelled out the plan and they killed and ate a goat. Jackal secretly kept some blood on his hands to later smear on Hare while he slept. They retired and Jackal waited for Hare to fall asleep. But Hare’s eyes remained wide open. He checked again and again until the sun came up!
Soon, the in-laws burst into the room looking for the midnight goat thief. Jackal was caught literally red-handed with blood! Hare had slept peacefully through the night even though his eyes never closed for a single moment!
Significance of the Story to Understanding Cybersecurity:
Just as in life there are some characters who are clever and very cunning who will always seek to outwit you, hackers and cyber-intruders are always looking for ways to invade your network privacy, steal information and cause fear and panic. Even when you have dealt with a particular intrusion by hackers, they always seek alternate means to continue their evil enterprise.
Thus, cybersecurity is never a one-time event but a continuous venture to ensure that computerized systems, networks and information are at all times secured. One must be careful at all times not to fall prey to intruders. Alertness is, therefore, key to maintain a cyber-secured environment. A high sense of “mistrust” and good judgment is needful to secure cyber resources.