With students spending more of their academic, social and professional lives online, dfcu Bank has urged young people to take a more active role in protecting their digital identities and developing the cybersecurity skills needed for the future.
The call was made during a cybersecurity awareness and career engagement at Kyambogo University, organised by dfcu Bank in partnership with the University’s School of Computing as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s global theme, “Don’t Make It Easy for Them,” emphasises the everyday actions people can take to make themselves less vulnerable to cybercrime.
The engagement brought the global cybersecurity conversation closer to students, focusing on risks they are increasingly likely to encounter as they learn, communicate, transact and pursue opportunities online. It also explored how artificial intelligence is changing the nature of digital fraud and the skills young people can begin building for careers in cybersecurity, technology and risk management.
Benard Kasibante, dfcu Bank Senior Manager for Cyber Security Assurance, said cybercriminals do not always need sophisticated methods to target people, particularly when personal information is readily available online.
“Not every cyberattack starts with someone hacking into your device. Sometimes, we unknowingly give criminals the information they need. Something as simple as your birthday, your pet’s name or other personal details shared online can help someone guess a password, impersonate you or make a phishing message much more convincing,” Kasibante said.
He encouraged students to be particularly careful when responding to unsolicited messages offering scholarships, internships, jobs and other opportunities.
“If you receive an unexpected message, especially one offering a job, internship or scholarship, take a moment before you respond. Check where it has come from, verify the information and think before you click a link, share personal details or send money,” he said.
Kasibante also urged students to use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, keep their software updated and regularly back up important academic work. These practical actions reflect the focus of this year’s global Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, which encourages people to make it more difficult for cybercriminals to succeed by building stronger everyday online habits.
The discussion also examined how artificial intelligence is changing the way people assess what they can trust online. Allan Mutabazi Muhumuza, dfcu Bank Head of Information Risk, said that while AI is creating new possibilities for learning and business, it is also enabling increasingly convincing forms of impersonation and fraud.
“AI has made it much easier to imitate voices, faces and even the way people communicate. Hearing a familiar voice or seeing someone you recognise on a video call is no longer enough. If a request for money or sensitive information feels unusual, verify it through another trusted channel before you act,” Muhumuza said.
He urged students to develop a habit of questioning and verifying what they encounter online, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated.
“AI brings enormous opportunities, but it is also changing how we think about trust online. We cannot assume that everything we see or hear is genuine. Young people need to get into the habit of checking and verifying information, particularly when they are being asked to share personal information or money,” he said.
Muhumuza stressed that digital trust depends on privacy, security and transparency. He also encouraged students interested in cybersecurity careers to build strong foundations in networks, operating systems and risk management, while developing the communication and problem-solving skills required to work effectively in the field.
Victoria Nakayizza, dfcu Bank Information Technology Audit Manager, encouraged students to look beyond the perception that cybersecurity careers are limited to highly technical or coding roles, noting that organisations require a broad mix of skills to keep their systems, customers and information secure.
“Cybersecurity is much broader than many students imagine. It is not only about writing code. Organisations need people who can prevent attacks, detect threats, respond when something goes wrong, assess risk, audit systems and make sure technology is being used securely,” Nakayizza said.
She introduced students to career pathways in network security, security operations, cloud security, IT audit and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), encouraging them to complement classroom learning with practical experience, continuous learning and relevant professional certifications.
“You do not have to wait until you graduate to start building your career. Be curious, practise what you are learning, explore professional certifications and look for opportunities to apply your skills. Building strong foundations now will give you more options as you begin to decide which area of cybersecurity you want to pursue,” she said.
Students also took part in cyber quizzes and a question-and-answer session, as well as demonstrations of dfcu Bank’s digital banking, providing an opportunity to relate classroom concepts to their practical application within financial services.
Joseph Kabagambe, a Kyambogo University student, said the session gave him greater clarity on professional certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CCNA, while broadening his understanding of phishing, malware and career opportunities in areas such as GRC and ethical hacking.
Clair Mutoni, a third-year IT student, said connecting classroom knowledge with industry experience was important as banks and other organisations increasingly depend on digital technology.
By taking the Cybersecurity Awareness Month conversation to Kyambogo University, dfcu Bank is helping to extend cybersecurity awareness beyond the workplace to young people whose education, careers and daily lives are increasingly shaped by technology.
For the students, the message was both immediate and forward-looking: the habits they develop today can help them protect themselves online, while the skills they build can position them to contribute to a safer and more resilient digital future.
dfcu was established in 1964 as a development finance institution. Over the years dfcu has been associated with many success stories in Uganda’s economy in various sectors including agribusiness, communication, education, health, manufacturing, tourism, real estate, mining, construction, transport, trade and commerce, among others.
Key Milestones
1964: dfcu Limited established by the Government of Uganda and the CDC
1999: Bought Uganda Leasing Company, renamed it dfcu Leasing.
2000: Bought Global Trust Bank, renamed it dfcu Bank, and started commercial banking.
2004: dfcu Limited was listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange.
2008: Merged its two businesses (Development Finance and dfcu Bank) to create a “one-stop shop “under dfcu Bank.
2007: Launched dfcu Women In Business
2013: Realignment of shareholders bringing on board a strategic partner – Rabobank, with significant experience in
agribusiness
2014: Consolidated business operations into our Head Office – dfcu Towers.
2014: dfcu Bank acquired some assets and took over some liabilities of Global Trust Bank (In Liquidation)
2015: Launched the Women In Business Advisory Centre
2016: Aligned shareholding with Rabobank, Norfund and FMO combining to form Arise which is committed to strengthening and developing effective, inclusive financial systems in Africa with a long-term perspective.
