In October, Cyber-security firm Serianu unveiled the Kenya Cyber Security Report 2015. According to the report, 80 per cent of Kenyans connected to the Internet are vulnerable to cybercrime attacks. The report further stated that the annual cost of cybercrime to Kenyan companies is estimated to be KES 15 billion (USD146 Million). The most affected by these attacks were the public sector losing Kshs. 5 Billion followed by financial services sector at KES 4 billion an d manufacturing and industrial at KES 3 billion in third place. The report highlighted a growing problem, which organizations are increasing keeping under wraps despite its increasing danger.
Who is ESET?
Kenya continues to attract different companies in the cyber security space seeking to address this emergent issue. Among these firms is Slovakian cybersecurity firm ESET. If you are a geek, your antivirus of choice is probably ESET owing to the minimal resources the antivirus gobbles. However, not many people away from the field of computing are aware of ESET. This has prompted the firm to open a local office with a target at the Kenyan market and the East African region in general. “We previously managed the East African market from South Africa but we felt there is need to open a dedicated office for this region”, said Bruce Donovan Area Manager for East Africa. “Our plan is to offer dedicated support to new and existing clients, create brand awareness and establish a partner base”, he told Techweez.
The main target for ESET in the East African market is SMEs through offering holistic internet security solutions including the antivirus solution, data encryption and back-up solutions. “Our target is to capture 10-15% market share in Kenya and the East African region”, he said. The firm will also offer solutions targeted at consumers including an android application offering users mobile level security.
Why use ESET
ESET is currently ranked 4th best anti-virus in the world which makes it a reputable brand to use for your internet security needs. Aside from the reputation, it offers nifty solutions to the user, which makes it a good tool to use. Key among these include minimal resource usage which leaves the user with more memory and CPU power for critical system tasks. The heuristics making up the security solution guarantee the user security based on a catalog of imminent threats and offers action plans to mitigate these threats. In addition to offering ability to detect viruses by offering regular, downloadable updates for users.
For enterprise users, ESET guarantees dedicated customer care services, which is largely why the company is setting up local operations. It further offers a centralized management portal for users allowing for the management of devices plugged in from a single console. Bruce Donovan cites South Africa, as a case in which the market has shown confidence in their products with 76% license renewal rate. “This shows we are offering the clients what they need and we plan to do the same in this market”
Going forward
The internet security market in Kenya is still at infancy, with both consumers and organizations yet to understand the imminent dangers the internet poses to them as well as how best to protect themselves. To this end, ESET plans to hold ESET security days aimed at creating awareness, discuss trends in the industry as well as offer technical support to consumers and all users. Other plans involve scaling the product through offering flexible billing periods to include monthly billings for the product. ESET further plans to tap onto the growing payments segment to embed their security solutions to guarantee user security in payment settlement. Product development aspects with solutions tailor made for the consumer in the local market are set to follow in the market too.
This is very good news. Sometimes back i had difficulty getting a license for one of their products, i kept being directed from one clueless “dealer” to another until i gave up and went bootleg. I hope they can set up shop to cater for individuals users considering some of these global companies that set shop in Nairobi seem to concentrate too much on corporates at the expense of individual customers.
I’m sure the ESET team will see this, they are very keen on understanding how best to serve the Kenyan market. Reason they stopped administrating from South Africa. Bruce says he knows Kenya is a special market and solutions can’t be generic.
Eset was and is definitely my choice! I’ve been using it since Smart Security 5. Of-late, I’ve switched to Nod32 Antivirus 8.
By the way, wasn’t there already an Eset Kenya office in Parklands?
Interesting, maybe it was partners office. Bruce mentioned that ESET was being managed from South Africa previously.
Hmm…. that explains it.
Since this post is from last year, where are there Nairobi offices? The problem with these foreign companies is that they make big press conferences and media viewings and then disappear.
When and how can a local user purchase a license is my main concern. We are tired of bootleg products.
Hi @[email protected]:disqus, their office is at Delta towers, even then you won’t need to visit them to purchase one as they do so via dealers. You have an option of purchasing a license.
But maybe what we need to do is find out whom these dealers are and update.
Hi Martin. Honestly its been a very frustrating process for me trying to get a license. The online service rejects cards, and does n’t even allow paypal. I really wonder what their strategy is for getting customers in East Africa is even an online service does n’t work.
But I’ll wait for your update on the dealers and what not.
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