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The great phishing fail (By Anna Collard)

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4 years ago

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KnowBe4

KnowBe4’s report on top-clicked phishing emails of 2022, By Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 10, 2022/APO Group/ — 

By Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa (www.KnowBe4.com).

In 2021, phishing attacks increased by 7.3% according to the ESET Threat Report (bit.ly/3xD5urD), and the Cisco 2021 Cybersecurity threat trends report (https://bit.ly/3O4Jwmx) revealed that around 86% of organisations had at least one person click a phishing link. This echoes the findings of recent KnowBe4 Security Awareness Research (https://bit.ly/3NGKiXi) that found people keep clicking – on fake emails from HR, the business and IT. As Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, points out, the majority of top email categories that people fall for are those that fit in to everyday life – invoices, purchase orders, shared files, and COVID-19 related topics.

“As our quarterly report on the top-clicked phishing (https://bit.ly/3O9Yyr9) tests shows, the emails that catch people are those that they are most used to seeing and that they expect to receive,” she adds. “They fall into the categories of HR, business, entertainment, IT and online services. They are fake reminders of bill payments, shopping offers, password changes and pandemic messages, and they’re often so well designed that they’re hard to tell apart from the real thing.”

It’s easy to see why people fall for the phish, and why training is hit and miss. People are busy, they’ve got lives and bosses and deadlines. If they receive an email with HR in the title that asks them to complete a new form for COVID-19 regulations, it’s simple to think this is a standard office email, especially after two years of being programmed to fill in forms for this very reason.

Globally, phishing focuses on eWallets, benefit accounts and password changes

“Using our KnowBe4’s AIDA, our Artificial Intelligence Driven Agent Phishing feature we now leverage machine learning to recommend and deliver personalized phishing (http://KnowBe4.com/phishing) campaigns based on users’ training and phishing history. Think of it as your own AI phishing assistant that automatically chooses the best phishing test for each user, at that moment personalized to their individual level. The average success rate of AIDA driven phishing simulations is at 8% which is about double as effective as the average randomized phishing campaign. It shows how AI and algorithms can make phishing smarter. The only thing is – the other side has it too,” says Collard.

In the US, HR and password change emails are the most successful while in Africa, the most common form of phishing email is ‘Authorize pending transaction on your wallet’, closely followed by Registration for COVID-19 study and IT end of year password policy.

“It’s interesting to note that HR emails are the most dominant form of phishing email in the US and tend to cover not just the pandemic, but holiday time, dress code changes and performance appraisals,” says Collard. “Globally, phishing focuses on eWallets, benefit accounts and password changes.”

Holidays, however, tend to present the biggest risk to users. Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day – these occasions spark a flurry of phishing emails that entice people to click with special offers, cards, reminders and fake promotions. These are very easy to mistake for the real thing – Someone special sent you a Valentine’s Day eCard! – and can cause untold damage to the business and to individuals when users mistakenly enter their credentials to access their free gift or card.

“This is why it’s increasingly important for organisations to invest into phishing training simulations,” says Collard. “Using smart algorithms and recent phishing scams as a starting point, these simulations send out fake emails that are designed specifically to woo users into making that fateful click. It’s an excellent way of detecting the areas where people need more training and who tends to fall for these emails the most often. When done frequently, it also allows for the business to gamify its training so people become inoculated with the necessary awareness to detect phishing emails.”

While it’s easy to understand why an email from HR is likely to be the most successful at scamming people, it’s also important to put the risks in front of people as often as possible. The fallout from a successful phishing attempt can be catastrophic, losing the business data, reputation, and money as well as putting it at risk of compliance violations. The impact on a personal account is equally severe, and often people don’t have the resources to mitigate the damage. Ultimately, consistent training and awareness are key to giving people the insights and expertise they need to recognise a phishing email and not click on that fateful link. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

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As global power structures shift, Invest Africa convenes The Africa Debate 2026 to redefine partnership in a changing world

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2 days ago

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February 6, 2026

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Debate

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.

Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London’s premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.

Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year’s forum will focus on Africa’s response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.

The Africa Debate puts Africa’s priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.

“Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition,” says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.

“This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value.”

The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.

Key challenges driving the debate

Core focus areas for this year’s edition of The Africa Debate include:

This year’s edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy

Global Realignment & New Partnerships

How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa’s global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.

Financing Africa’s Future

The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.

Strategic Value Chains

Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa’s energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.

Digital Transformation & Technology

Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa’s economic transformation.

The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa’s economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent’s next growth phase.

Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

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Business

Zion Adeoye terminated as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CLG due to serious personal and professional conduct violations

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2 days ago

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February 6, 2026

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CLG

After a thorough internal and external investigation, along with a disciplinary hearing chaired by Sbongiseni Dube, CLG (https://CLGglobal.com) has made the decision to terminate Zion Adeoye due to serious personal and professional conduct violations. This process adhered to the Code of Good Practice of the Labour Relations Act, ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with South African law.

Mr. Adeoye has been held accountable for several serious offenses, including:

  • Making malicious and defamatory statements against colleagues
  • Extortion
  • Intimidation
  • Fraud
  • Misuse of company funds
  • Theft and misappropriation of funds
  • Breach of fiduciary duty
  • Mismanagement

His actions are in direct contradiction to our firm’s core values. We do not approve of attorneys spending time in a Gentleman’s Club. CLG deeply regrets the impact this situation has had on our colleagues and continues to provide full support to those affected.

We want to express our gratitude to those who spoke up and to reassure everyone at the firm of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace. Misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and will be addressed decisively.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and have referred it to the appropriate law enforcement, regulatory, and legal authorities in Nigeria, Mauritius, and South Africa. We kindly ask that the privacy of the third party involved be respected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

 

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Business

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Strengthens Partnership with the Republic of Djibouti through US$35 Million Financing Facility

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2 days ago

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February 6, 2026

By

ITFC

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, February 5, 2026/APO Group/ –The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (https://www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a US$35 million sovereign financing facility with the Republic of Djibouti to support the development of the country’s bunkering services sector and strengthen its position as a strategic regional maritime and trade hub.

The facility was signed at the ITFC Headquarters in Jeddah by Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, Chief Executive Officer of ITFC, and H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti.

The financing facility is expected to contribute to Djibouti’s economic growth and revenue diversification by reinforcing the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Djibouti Port as a “one-stop port” offering comprehensive vessel-related services. With Red Sea Bunkering (RSB) as the Executing Agency, the facility will support the procurement of refined petroleum products, thus boosting RSB’s bunkering operations, enhancing revenue diversification, and consolidating Djibouti’s role as a key logistics and trading hub in the Horn of Africa and the wider region.

We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth

Commenting on the signing, Eng. Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, CEO of ITFC, stated:

“This financing reflects ITFC’s continued commitment to supporting Djibouti’s strategic development priorities, particularly in strengthening energy security, port competitiveness, and trade facilitation. We are proud to deepen our partnership with the Republic of Djibouti and contribute to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.”

H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti, commented: “Today’s signing marks an important milestone in the development of Djibouti’s bunkering services and reflects our strong and valued partnership with ITFC, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This collaboration supports our ambition to position Djibouti as a regional hub for integrated maritime and logistics services. We look forward to deepening this partnership, creating new opportunities, and leveraging collaborative programs to advance key sectors and drive sustainable economic growth.”

This facility forms part of the US$600 million, three-year Framework Agreement signed in May 2023 between ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti, reflecting the strong and growing partnership between both parties.

Since its inception in 2008, ITFC and the Republic of Djibouti have maintained a strong partnership, with a total of US$1.8 billion approved primarily supporting the country’s energy sector and trade development objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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