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Business risk drives SA SMEs towards IT as a service

Johannesburg, 04 Aug 2025
Johan Bosch, Cluster Executive for ITaaS at iOCO. (Image: iOCO)
Johan Bosch, Cluster Executive for ITaaS at iOCO. (Image: iOCO)

As small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the globe embrace IT as a service (ITaaS) to overcome skills shortages and infrastructure costs, South African businesses are being driven by an even more urgent concern – business risk.

In a climate where cyber threats are escalating and compliance requirements such as POPIA and GDPR are tightening, local organisations are turning to ITaaS not just for efficiency – but for survival.

“Many SMEs have already experienced cyber attacks or ransomware incidents, or they have come to the realisation that cyber security is critical – and they don’t know where to start,” says Johan Bosch, Cluster Executive for ITaaS at iOCO. “They need a trusted partner to help them build resilience and navigate complex compliance landscapes.”

Cyber security and compliance: The new imperatives

With a severe shortage of cyber security skills in the market, SMEs are seeking expert support to protect sensitive data – not only to avoid regulatory penalties, but to safeguard their reputations. The reputational fallout from a data breach can be devastating, especially for smaller businesses.

Cost-effective, scalable IT solutions

Budget constraints remain a significant barrier for SMEs. Traditional IT infrastructure demands heavy capital investment – something many smaller businesses simply cannot afford. ITaaS offers a compelling alternative: world-class technology, architecture, monitoring and 24/7 support – all on a subscription basis. “With ITaaS, SMEs gain access to an entire ecosystem that works from day one,” Bosch explains. “They don’t need to build it themselves.”

Choosing the right ITaaS partner

However, not all ITaaS providers are equal. Bosch warns against choosing partners based solely on price. “If a provider can’t deliver on uptime, restore data in a crisis or secure every layer of your environment, the consequences can be catastrophic.”

iOCO’s ITaaS offering stands out with:

  • Over 15 years of experience in South Africa
  • 1 100+ certified technical professionals
  • International certifications, including ISO 27001, ISAE3402, ISO 9001 and PCI-DSS
  • Flexible contracts that scale with your business
  • A track record of zero client cancellations due to unmet expectations

“We don’t lock clients into long-term contracts. If we don’t meet our SLAs, they can walk away with three months’ notice,” Bosch adds. “That’s how confident we are in our service.”

A smarter, safer future for SMEs

As South African SMEs face mounting cyber risks and compliance pressures, ITaaS is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. With the right partner, businesses can reduce risk, control costs and focus on growth.

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iOCO

iOCO is a leading provider of integrated ICT solutions, offering end-to-end ITaaS, network as a service, and managed security services. With a commitment to flexibility, transparency, and excellence, iOCO empowers businesses to thrive in a digital world.

Editorial contacts

Takalani Chipane
Head of Marketing Operations, Intelligent Technology Solutions (ITS)
(+27) 83 561 4675
takalani.chipane@ioco.tech