The recent alleged cyberattack against the General Directorate of Taxes and Domains (DGID) continues to raise serious concerns in Senegal. While reports indicate that the attackers have demanded a ransom estimated at 6.5 billion CFA francs, cybersecurity engineer Abdourahmane Sakho, CEO of Midadi Consulting, warns of a “direct threat to the country’s economic and institutional security.”
According to him, the targeted data – leases, transfer deeds, contracts, tax documents, and personal information – are critical assets that support the proper functioning of the administration and citizens’ trust in the State. “Their compromise could affect property rights, financial traceability, and tax obligations management,” he warns.
A question of digital sovereignty
For the expert, cybersecurity should no longer be seen as a purely technical issue. It now represents a national sovereignty issue. He points out that public information systems are “the backbone of governance,” just like energy or water infrastructures.
Mr. Sakho also emphasizes that protecting sensitive data is an absolute imperative at a time when taxation is a central lever of public policy. He calls on the State to strengthen the national cybersecurity strategy through targeted investments, staff training, and better communication with citizens.
Multiple hypotheses surrounding the attack
Mr. Sakho also questioned the origin of this attack: “Is it the work of organized cybercriminal groups attracted by financial gain, or are there local accomplices aiming to erase evidence of malpractice?” The engineer also mentions the possibility of political manipulation, in a context marked by a strong demand for transparency and social justice.
A shared responsibility
Abdourahmane Sakho insists on the role of each actor in risk prevention. According to him, cybersecurity depends not only on computer systems but also on human behavior. A simple weak password, a click on a fraudulent link, or an unsecured USB key can be enough to compromise sensitive data.
He calls for a collective awareness: “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. It concerns the State, businesses, and citizens. Our data is a common good, as valuable as our natural resources.”
To recall, the General Directorate of Taxes and Domains (DGID) informed its users of a temporary unavailability of its online services. According to the official statement, this interruption is due to an identified technical issue, for which preventive security measures have been immediately implemented to protect the infrastructure.
