Trap the hacker

South Africa is under increasing pressure with an escalating cybersecurity crisis that poses significant risks to its business landscape. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and pervasive, the urgency for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater.

According to a Kaspersky report, South African organisations experienced an average of 19 cyber incidents in the past year, with 34.2% of users encountering web-borne threats. The financial sector is particularly vulnerable, witnessing a 34% surge in banking and financial malware compared to 2023.

Moreover, the country ranks 14th globally in the highest average cost of a data breach, with the mean ransom payment by firms reaching $958 110 (R17.9 million) and average recovery costs hitting $1.04 million (R19.44 million).

Exploiting developing nations

Cyber attackers are increasingly using developing countries like South Africa as testing grounds for new ransomware attacks. This strategy allows hackers to refine their methods in less secure environments before targeting nations with advanced security systems. The rise in cyber-attacks, nearly doubling since before the Covid-19 pandemic, is exacerbated by rapid digitisation and inadequate protection in developing regions.

A significant challenge is the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. In 2025, 63% of cybersecurity roles in South Africa were either partially or completely unfilled. This skills gap hampers businesses’ ability to effectively defend against cyber threats.

Compounding the issue is underinvestment in cybersecurity. Only 46% of South African businesses increased their cybersecurity budgets in the last year, leaving many organisations vulnerable.

Government entities are not immune. In July 2024, multiple South African government agencies were simultaneously targeted in a coordinated ransomware attack, exploiting a zero-day vulnerability and disrupting operations across several departments. Attackers demanded a ransom of $10 million in Bitcoin, threatening to release sensitive data.

Proactive measures

To combat these challenges, businesses must adopt a proactive and comprehensive cybersecurity approach. This includes investing in advanced security frameworks, regular employee training, and incident response planning. Leveraging managed security service providers and unified cybersecurity platforms can also enhance defences.

J2 Software has unveiled its ‘Honeypot as a Service’ offering – a turnkey cybersecurity solution aimed at deceiving threat actors, generating actionable intelligence, and bolstering enterprise cyber resilience. As cyberattacks become increasingly targeted and complex, this strategic layer of defence offers timely and measurable value.

The honeypot acts as a sophisticated digital decoy, replicating systems such as databases, web servers, or entire network segments. Its core function is to divert malicious activity away from critical infrastructure and into a controlled environment.

When threat actors engage with these decoys, they inadvertently reveal attack methods, tools, and intent. This intelligence enables security teams to proactively detect threats, refine defences, and gain deeper insight into evolving tactics. Because no legitimate user should access the honeypot, any activity is flagged immediately – facilitating swift, real-time threat detection.

Beyond early detection, the solution enhances incident response, equipping organisations with the data and context needed to act decisively and mitigate risk more effectively.

J2 Software CEO John Mc Loughlin says Honeypot as a Service is built on advanced deception technology and designed to be deployed effortlessly. “The service works by creating lifelike decoys within your network that are indistinguishable from genuine systems, effectively tricking attackers into engaging with fake data.”

“Every interaction with these honeypots is logged, providing your security team with early warnings – much like a digital CCTV system that alerts you when an intruder is at the door, well before they reach your sensitive data,” he adds.

In addition to its powerful deception capabilities, the service offers plug-and-play simplicity. The honeypot devices are pre-configured, requiring only minimal setup; simply plug them into the network, connect them to power, and they begin monitoring and reporting any suspicious activity.

Furthermore, J2’s solution can be tailored to meet specific deployment needs, whether for a single office or multiple sites. An organisation may deploy a base unit at its head office, along with additional devices at remote sites, all of which appear as natural extensions of its environment.

Here’s how the service improves one’s overall security posture:

• By acting as a trap, the honeypot alerts the organisation to cyberattacks as soon as an attacker takes the bait, significantly reducing the average time needed to detect and respond to breaches.
• The service provides comprehensive threat intelligence by monitoring attackers’ interactions with the decoys. This process offers valuable insights into their methods, which can be used to refine existing security measures and prevent future attacks.
• The honeypot protects genuine data by diverting attackers away from real systems, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.
• For resource-constrained organisations, deploying a honeypot offers a high-impact layer of defence without requiring massive investments in additional infrastructure, making it a cost-effective security solution.

“J2 Software’s approach is designed to be straightforward; it requires minimal technical requirements. No need for extensive technical skills, the device is delivered pre-configured. All that’s required is plugging it in and connecting it to the network,” he explains.

More importantly, J2 Software offers flexible service terms, the service is offered on a monthly basis with a 12-month commitment. After the initial period, organisations can opt for a month-to-month service or return the device if it no longer meets their needs.

“Cybersecurity isn’t just about having robust firewalls or antivirus software; it’s about staying one step ahead of the attackers. J2 Software’s Honeypot as a Service offers a unique, proactive approach by turning the tables on cyber criminals,” he concludes.