Morocco Ranks High in Cyberattack Targets Across Africa

Rising Cyber Threats in Morocco and Africa

Morocco has emerged as one of the most targeted countries in Africa for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, according to recent data from cybersecurity firm NETSCOUT Systems. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 75,000 DDoS attacks were recorded in the country. This places Morocco second on the continent, just behind South Africa, which reported more than 213,000 attacks during the same period. Kenya followed with over 46,000 incidents.

The telecommunications and research and development sectors in Morocco have been particularly vulnerable to these cyber threats. The increasing frequency of such attacks highlights the growing challenges faced by the country’s digital infrastructure. These attacks not only disrupt services but also pose significant risks to businesses and public institutions.

Globally, the number of DDoS attacks reached over 8 million in the first six months of 2025. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa together accounted for 3.2 million of these attacks. The scale of these cyber threats was further emphasized by the peak attack speeds recorded during this time, reaching up to 3.12 terabits per second and 1.5 billion packets per second.

Political Events Linked to Cyberattack Surges

NETSCOUT attributed the spikes in cyberattacks to major political events occurring around the world. For example, Switzerland experienced over 1,400 attacks during the World Economic Forum. Similarly, Italy faced a surge in cyber threats amid political debates. In India, the government and financial sectors were targeted during heightened tensions with Pakistan.

In the Middle East, the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv led to over 15,000 attacks against Iran and 279 against Israel. These incidents underscore the role of geopolitical tensions in fueling cyber warfare. As conflicts escalate, so do the efforts of malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems.

Expert Warnings and Strategic Responses

Brian Hamman, regional director for Africa at NETSCOUT, highlighted the growing threat landscape. He stated that Africa has become a prime target for cybercriminals globally. Countries like Morocco and Kenya are facing increasingly complex threats, with longer and larger attacks indicating the determination of attackers to disrupt essential services.

Hamman emphasized the importance of intelligence-driven defenses against DDoS attacks. He noted that such measures are not just strategic but vital for ensuring business resilience in an era of rising cyber threats.

Moroccan officials have also expressed concerns about the increasing cyber risks. Colonel Khalil Nassir, director of monitoring and expertise at the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI), stressed the need for digital security to be integrated “by design” in all transformation projects. His remarks came during the recent Morocco Today forum, where he highlighted the critical nature of proactive cybersecurity measures.

Preparing for Major International Events

With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations beforehand, Nassir warned that the country could become a more attractive target for malicious actors. He emphasized the need for a more aware and informed society to counter these threats effectively.

Opportunistic attackers are likely to be highly active during such high-profile events, making it imperative for the country to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure. The combination of international attention and digital transformation efforts increases the risk of cyberattacks, necessitating a coordinated and robust response.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the challenge of defending against cyber threats becomes more pressing. With the right strategies and investments, Morocco and other African nations can build resilient systems capable of withstanding the growing tide of cyberattacks.