SABRIC, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre is aware of the media statement issued by Kaspersky on the 13th of January 2020 about potential malware attacks on major banks in the sub-Saharan Africa region, entitled ‘Silence before the storm: Russian speaking hacking group is attacking banks in Sub-Saharan Africa’. It states that the threat actors are most likely the Russian ‘Silence’ hacking group which has been responsible for the theft of millions of dollars globally.
There has been no impact on our Banks to date and it is business as usual as all banking services are operating normally. Nevertheless, the Banking Industry takes cybersecurity very seriously and has robust risk mitigation strategies in place. Because banks, as the custodians of money, are continuously under attack globally, these strategies are agile and are reviewed as new threats are identified.
“The banking industry collaborates by sharing information to ensure that our cyber resilience is continually strengthened. We will continue to monitor this situation very closely as an industry. “says SABRIC acting CEO, Susan Potgieter.
To arrange for interviews with SABRIC acting CEO, Susan Potgieter, contact:
Louise van der Merwe
Tel: +27 11 847 3129
Cell: 082 070 5349
Email: media@sabric.co.za
Notes to Editors:
SABRIC is an NPF company formed by South African banks to support the banking industry in the combating of crime. SABRIC’s clients are South African banks and major CIT companies. Its principle business is to detect, prevent and reduce organised crime in the banking industry through effective public private partnerships. SABRIC co-ordinates inter-bank activities aimed at addressing organised bank related financial crime, violent crime and cybercrime, and acts as a nodal point between the banking industry and others, in respect of issues relating to these crimes. The creation of public awareness of various bank related crimes and educating the public on how to protect themselves is one of SABRIC’s key focus areas. For more on SABRIC visit www.sabric.co.za.