Cyber incidents and attacks are rapidly increasing, impacting countries and systems across multiple sectors. Essential services connected to the internet, such as hospitals and ambulance services, have been significantly affected. The data security status of digital health systems in Africa is improving. But it faces several challenges, including lack of policies focused on data security for health, limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel across health systems levels.

In 2024, PATH supported data security capacity-strengthening activities in three countries across West, Central, and Southern Africa.

Discussions involving stakeholders in these countries identified potential areas for data security support. These include enhancing data governance through developing health data privacy, confidentiality, and security guidelines; establishing structures for sustaining a secure data environment; emphasizing the importance of conducting scans of electronic health information systems to identify vulnerabilities and best practices; and working collaboratively with in-country stakeholders to ensure a progressively high standard of data security and privacy.