Safeguarding South Africa’s Skies: Lessons from the SAA Cyberattack
May 12, 2025
A Wake-Up Call for National Infrastructure
On May 3, 2025, South African Airways (SAA) experienced a significant cyberattack that disrupted its website, mobile application, and several internal operational systems. The breach prompted immediate action, including the activation of disaster management protocols and the initiation of a forensic investigation to determine the incident’s root cause and scope
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in critical infrastructure and the pressing need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
South Africa has become a prime target for cybercriminals, with over 40% of ransomware attacks on the continent occurring within its borders. The SAA breach is part of a broader pattern of attacks affecting various sectors, including telecommunications and government agencies.
Proactive Measures: How 2TS Can Fortify Your Cybersecurity
2TS offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions tailored to protect critical infrastructure. Key offerings include:
- Unified Endpoint Management: Provides real-time visibility and control over all endpoints, ensuring that devices are secure and compliant.
- Mobile Device Management: Secures mobile devices across the organization, mitigating risks associated with remote access.
- Threat Intelligence Services: Delivers actionable insights to pre-empt and respond to emerging threats effectively.
- Operational Technology (OT) Security: In partnership with Waterfall Security, 2TS offers unidirectional security gateways that protect industrial control systems from external threats .
Conclusion
2TS provides enterprise-grade security solutions that could have mitigated or completely prevented Bybit’s massive security breach.
Carbon Black – Endpoint Security & Threat Intelligence:
- Detects unauthorized access attempts and blocks malware that could compromise wallet keys.
OutThink – Behavioral Risk Analytics:
- Monitors employee actions and prevents insider threats from leaking critical access credentials.
Waterfall Security – Unidirectional Gateways:
- Physically prevents unauthorized commands from reaching cold storage wallets, securing high-value crypto assets.
AgentX BigFix – Automated Patch Management:
- Ensures all security software is up-to-date, closing vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
By implementing these solutions, crypto exchanges can eliminate their biggest security gaps and prevent devastating breaches like the Bybit hack.
Conclusion
The cyberattack on SAA serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing critical infrastructure. Implementing robust cybersecurity measures is not just a technical necessity but a strategic imperative. With 2TS’s suite of tailored solutions, organizations can enhance their resilience against cyber threats and safeguard their operations.
Protect your infrastructure before it’s too late. Contact 2TS today to learn how we can help secure your organization’s future.
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