15-04-2025
GITEX Africa 2025: Experts Discuss Africa's OT Security Within Digital Infrastructure Expands
Marrakech — Industry leaders gathered at GITEX Africa 2025 today for a thought-provoking panel discussion that highlighted the urgent need for robust operational technology (OT) security measures as Africa accelerates its industrial digitalization.
The session, 'Building Digital Resilience: The Future of OT Security in Africa's Growth Story,' brought together cybersecurity experts and digital transformation leaders to address how the continent can protect its rapidly expanding critical infrastructure.
'We're witnessing a fundamental shift in how African nations approach industrial security,' said Ashraf Aboukass, head of cybersecurity at Confidential, Qatar, during the panel.
'The traditional divide between IT and OT professionals continues to create vulnerabilities that malicious actors are eager to exploit.'
Aboukass spoke of the differences that often prevent effective collaboration between information technology and operational technology teams.
'OT professionals rightfully pride themselves on their specialized expertise — controlling critical parameters in industrial settings like temperature, humidity, and rail speeds. Their priority is operational safety, ensuring trains don't crash and critical infrastructure functions properly,' he explained.
The challenge, according to panelists, lies in protecting decades-old systems not designed with cybersecurity in mind. 'These systems were built 30-40 years ago,' noted Aboukass. 'Applying contemporary security solutions to legacy systems creates unique technical and operational challenges.'
Aboukass shared a short insightful snapshot on the historical development of cybersecurity as something that didn't even exist 25 years ago, but is now an entire field with multiple specialties, with OT security emerging only about 15 years ago.
As the Chief Information and Digital Officer at ONCF, Fatima Zohra El Ouerkhaoui explained the critical distinction between IT and OT security objectives: 'IT security primarily aims to protect data and digitized business processes. But OT security's fundamental concern is safety — protecting human lives within industrial systems.'
As Africa's OT cybersecurity market surges toward a projected $5.33 billion valuation by 2031, panelists discussed the particular difficulties in implementing modern security tools like Network Detection and Response (NDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) within critical infrastructure environments.
'When you're dealing with critical processes, you can't simply interrupt operations to analyze potential threats,' explained Aboukass. 'In OT environments, the stakes are fundamentally different — disruptions can have severe real-world consequences.'
The panel identified Africa's unique position in the global industrial landscape, noting that the continent has untapped opportunities to build security considerations into its digital infrastructure from the ground up, potentially avoiding cybersecurity pitfalls experienced in other regions.
The consensus among speakers was clear: as Africa continues its impressive growth trajectory, building digital resilience in industrial and critical infrastructure systems will be essential to sustainable development and economic security.
'We need to bridge the gap between IT and OT security approaches,' concluded El Ouerkhaoui. 'Africa's industrial future depends on our ability to protect not just data, but the physical systems that power our economies and ensure public safety.'
Panelists agreed that OT security development is a long journey that should be taken to ensure cybersecurity.
In a compelling conclusion to the panel, Ashraf Aboukass offered crucial advice for Africa's emerging cybersecurity professionals.
'While technical skills are important and will get your CV through the door, they're not enough,' he advised, adding that future professionals should hone their soft skills as cybersecurity practitioners must develop the ability to communicate effectively, influence stakeholders, and build relationships.
GITEX Africa 2025, the continent's largest technology exhibition and conference, continues until tomorrow, April 16, in Marrakech. Tags: CybersecurityGITEX AFRICAGITEX Africa 2025OT security
