Tag: data protection

Compliance is an increasingly important subject in South Africa as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) gains traction. However, while many businesses are working to ensure that they align with relevant laws, it is just as important to ensure that third-party vendors and suppliers too are compliant.

To some it might feel we’re living in an “endless summer” of artificial intelligence (AI), with a new breakthrough announced almost monthly. And whilst AI offers important benefits to a myriad of industries, it should also be cautionary tale, with the relevant cybersecurity, legal compliance, data protection and so forth measures put in place.

Data integrity, security, and availability are vital aspects to consider whether it pertains to personal information, business records, or research data. However, many individuals and organisations often neglect the importance of data maintenance, which can lead to data ‘load shedding’, a term used to describe the loss, corruption, or unavailability of data due to poor data management practices.

When engaging in online activities, one cannot ignore the inherent risks involved. Whether you’re accessing information, interacting with a company or buying a product or service, your data is being stored and then possibly shared with others.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape of today, where data stands as the new currency, the demand for skilled data management professionals has become ever apparent. As a critical, ethical, legal and operational concern in modern business, data protection and management are essential for maintaining business continuity.

Although cryptocurrencies are on an upward trajectory in South Africa, a cryptocurrency wallet is worthless without its key or password. That was the reality for a 24-year-old Bitcoin-holder in 2021, who, after mining 20 Bitcoin for more than ten years when the cryptocurrency was still only worth a few cents, lost his wallet key and access to around R14.18 million in Bitcoin.

We are calling upon CISOs and boards of directors to recognise and take immediate action against the security risks associated with IT asset disposition (ITAD). As a crucial aspect of data governance, the responsible management of IT assets at the end of their lifecycle is essential to ensure compliance and safeguard sensitive information.

While South Africa has fended off the threat of recession after recording a slight growth in the first quarter of 2023, the global tech industry is still being cautious as it prepares to weather a storm. Tech companies are looking at optimising their costs across the board, with one such area topping the list of CIOs’ being controlling cloud expenditure.

As technology continues to advance rapidly, governments worldwide are grappling with the need to regulate various aspects of the digital realm. South Africa, a leading economy on the African continent, has not been immune to this global trend.

More than half of South African businesses were impacted by ransomware in 2022, according to a CSIR report on cybersecurity. If businesses don't implement adequate cybersecurity strategies, this percentage will increase as the country's reliance on digital technologies and the number of associated threats expand.