Cybercrime costs SA R2.2bn a year – SOFTSWISS calls for resilience-by-design at Africa Tech Week
The award-winning, global iGaming technology provider SOFTSWISS leveraged its keynote platform at the opening of Africa Tech Week to formalise its South African market ambitions, highlighting cybersecurity resilience as central to its strategy. Deputy CSO Artem Bychkov warned that with cyberattacks escalating alongside digital adoption, companies entering African markets must be builders – not just participants – in secure digital ecosystems.
Artem Bychkov, Deputy Chief Security Officer at SOFTSWISS, addressed delegates with a warning: Africa’s booming digital economy is being matched – and in some cases outpaced – by cybercriminal innovation. South Africa now ranks among the top three countries globally in cybercrime-related losses, with R2.2 billion lost annually. “As the continent becomes more connected and digitally empowered, so too does the cyber risk. But with the right architecture, we can build resilience from the ground up,” said Bychkov.
Bychkov spotlighted established as well as emerging threats – from malware-as-a-service and supply chain infiltration to deepfake-driven KYC fraud – and positioned SOFTSWISS as a company whose track record in technical stability and innovation is vital for the African market. “Cybercriminals adapt fast. So must we,” he added. “There’s no substitute for a comprehensive security programme. People, processes, and technology must align under a long-term vision.”
SOFTSWISS has accelerated its African strategy, with enhanced adaptability for African operators. This strategy has already yielded acclaim: SOFTSWISS recently received the ‘Innovation of the Year’ award at the Sports Betting East Africa+ Summit – a recognition that its customisable solutions are both reliable and transformative, even in newly entered markets.
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SOFTSWISS’ presence at Africa Tech Week underscores its ambitions to support Africa’s digital future not only through gaming platforms but also through a broader ecosystem of secure digital services. From device-level MFA and behavioural analytics to real-time monitoring and secure-by-design development, the company is bringing global cybersecurity standards to the continent – and evolving them to meet local realities.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS complies with a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
