landscape presents organisations in Southern Africa with unique challenges and opportunities. A diverse technology landscape, varying levels of digital infrastructure and a growing reliance on the digital economy characterise the region.
We have already seen through the Information Regulator that organisational data breaches increase by over 100% yearly.Effective cybersecurity is not merely a defensive measure but a strategic asset that directly contributes to an organisation’s business value. A well-managed cybersecurity strategy safeguards the organisation’s reputation, customer trust and intellectual property. It also ensures compliance with regulatory standards, protecting against costly fines and legal ramifications.
There is one caveat, though: AI is only effective if the underlying IT exposures are remediated. If not, the minute AI is removed from the environment, the preventative capabilities leave it, reintroducing hundreds if not thousands of exposures. Clients do not consider this when removing a “bleeding” capability from their environments.
These networks offer redundancy and resilience, ensuring that network connectivity remains intact despite cyberattacks or infrastructure failures. This is particularly key for businesses operating in regions with less reliable connectivity. Attackers are lured into decoy environments while the tangible assets remain hidden and secure. This proactive approach shifts the advantage back to defenders, making it exceedingly difficult for attackers to breach an entity’s defences.This year, Southern African businesses must recognise that traditional cybersecurity approaches are no longer sufficient to protect against the evolving threat landscape.