Govt Moves Into Action After Hackers Breached Kenyan Businesses
BRS Director General Kenneth Gathuma confirmed the possible breach which affected the company registry's information
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Business Registration Service (BRS) has addressed reports of a data breach and an alleged hacking of the government database on its end.
In a statement on Sunday, February 2, BRS Director General Kenneth Gathuma confirmed the possible breach which affected the company registry's information, but announced that action was underway to contain the situation.
"Upon receiving this information, we immediately activated our Incident Response Plan, launched a comprehensive investigation, and notified the relevant regulatory authorities," the statement read in part.
Offices hosting the Business Registration Service. /EREGULATIONS KENYA
"Our cybersecurity experts are working closely with our cybersecurity partner, law enforcement, and investigative agencies to assess the scope of the incident, determine any potential impact, and implement necessary containment and mitigation measures."
BRS added that at this stage, the details of the alleged breach, including the nature and extent of any compromised data, were still being verified.
Gathuma promised that once the investigation is complete, the service will provide an update and directly engage with any affected parties.
"We want to assure all stakeholders that the security and integrity of the company registry remain our top priority. As a precautionary measure, we have strengthened our security protocols to safeguard our systems and prevent future incidents," Gathuma noted down the remedial measures.
"BRS remains fully committed to addressing this matter with transparency and diligence. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of all affected parties as we work towards a resolution. For further updates, please visit our official channels."
BRS experienced a significant data breach, exposing confidential information about private companies to the public.
The cyberattack, which is suspected to have occurred on the night of January 31, left the organization urgently working to manage the fallout.
The breach marked the first significant attack on a government agency, or the government as a whole, in more than a year. On July 27, 2023, a Sudanese hacker group claimed to have taken down several Kenyan websites including key government sites like e-Citizen and top companies.
Government websites offering services to Kenyans like e-Citizen and NTSA had experienced downtimes then, affecting applications and renewal of Driving Licences, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, passports, and certificates of good conduct among others.
