Community

Protecting your company from cyber-attacks requires a multi-level approach that can be seen like an ‘onion’, panellists at the CIO South Africa Cybersecurity Summit heard.

When it comes to cybersecurity challenges and lessons, companies’ focus must be on people, processes, and technology to ensure that everyone is on board to fight the scourge of cyber-attacks, says Josh Souchon, CIO at Sasfin.

On the back of a successful and intimate dinner on cybersecurity late last year, the CIO South Africa community upsizes to a bigger venue with more voices to be heard – on how IT leaders remain proactive and are ready to respond to cyberthreats.

Gur Geva, CEO, and co-founder of iiDENTIFii, underscores the growing concern regarding the security of voice biometrics. He points out that the current landscape indicates a vulnerability in voice biometrics, with an increasing risk of identity impersonation, and explores the need for a multi-layered approach to safeguarding personal identities.

Tech leaders offer insights into the evolving technological landscape, and the technologies they anticipate will dominate 2024.

Enterprises need a solid data foundation as they prepare to scale AI. Getting there requires modern data integration. Adding more integrations to the same platform? Even better, writes Girish Pancha, CEO at StreamSets.

CIO South Africa’s latest Associate Partner believes that the community fosters a collaborative environment for IT executives and professionals, encouraging knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities.

The inaugural South African CIO Awards marked a historic moment in the tech industry, illustrating the brilliance and ingenuity of visionary leaders who are transforming the landscape of innovation.

Standard Bank’s Jörg Fischer was crowned CIO of the Year, at the first annual CIO Awards on 15 November 2023, a glittering gala event, dubbed the Oscars of IT. The exquisite event took place at the Polo Room at the Inanda Club in Johannesburg.

Get ready to have your funny bone tickled by MC Celeste Ntuli’s unique brand of comedy, get lost in the soulful sounds of The Soil, swept away by Adventurer Kirsten Neuschäfer, and jazzed up by the Kopano Jazz Collective.

Accenture’s Jeniffer Ramnath explains that the award resonates deeply with the company’s core value of stewardship.

According to Workday’s country MD, Kiveshen ‘Kiv’ Moodley, the company is built on innovation, the award aligns with their core values.

Cybersecurity gives even the most formidable IT leader sleepless nights, and during an intimate dinner, CIOs revealed that creating a secure environment and building a cybersecurity culture is at the top of their wish list as we head towards the festive season.

Entelect runs over 250 concurrent projects, so they know how hard it is to deliver a project, and the importance of celebrating when you get it right, says Entelect’s CCO Daniel Manyemwe.

Attendees discussed solutions to keeping their environments secure, cybersecurity in the age of remote work, cyber skills, and making security everyone’s responsibility.

Who will be named the CIO of the Year? No other partner is more eager to find out than EOH – they’ll be handing out this award on 15 November.

An innovative and pragmatic approach to addressing relevant issues, the calibre of IT executives you attract, and the impact the community is making in the sector all resonated with Entelect, says Daniel Manyemwe.

Guests revealed that “it’s lonely at the top” as a woman trailblazer in the IT industry, and that the existence of a women’s circle is an important safe space for like-minded powerhouses.

Omeshnee says leaders need to be recognised for the invaluable contribution that they make to the industry, which is why Deloitte has decided to sponsor this award.

Malose Mabusela says there are parallels between the experience of a young CIO and the founding members of Makwa IT, which is why they decided to support this award.