How to make sure you are cyber secure in 2019

Companies embarking on a digital journey should ensure security is a primary focus, says Boland Lithebe, managing executive at CyberTech.


Johannesburg, 21 Feb 2019
Boland Lithebe, Managing Executive, CyberTech.
Boland Lithebe, Managing Executive, CyberTech.

As 2019 gets under way, we sat down with Boland Lithebe, Managing Executive, CyberTech, to gain some insight into what is currently trending in the world of cyber security and how these trends not only influence, but also act as a call to action for all business owners.

According to Lithebe, cyber security and the roll-on effect it has on both your personal and professional life has never been more prominent than right now. Reports of systems being hacked are making headlines almost on a daily basis. The financial, communications and healthcare industries are major targets for attacks as a result of the sensitive information they work with.

As the IOT (Internet of things) gains momentum and more household and corporate functions that were usually done by humans are being operated by devices that connect to a server, for example, the risk also increases. Lithebe refers to two examples that illustrate this point quite clearly. The first one is of an engineering company that utilises drilling machines on construction sites. The majority of these machines are operated electronically, meaning there's a computer system that can be infiltrated and ultimately corrupted, which could translate into absolute chaos and disaster on the building site.

The second example pertains to the system that controls a city's traffic lights. If someone were to gain access to this system and alter the intervals and sequence in which the lights change, it could create a life-threatening situation for all people who use the specific crossing/intersection.

That is why he feels corporate companies that are embarking on their digital journey should ensure security is a primary focus.

When asked how corporate companies can lessen their risk and ultimately enjoy a secure system environment, he shared these three points:

1. Assess your organisation's capabilities and the current problem areas (the low-hanging fruit, so to speak).
2. Constant monitoring is essential once the weaknesses have been identified.
3. "Clean hygiene". Now that all the problems have been addressed, you need to keep it like that. Ensure you meet all compliance requirements, etc.

Cyber threats and the need for the right security systems for your environment have never been more crucial.

Take the first step to better your cyber security by contacting CyberTech for a free assessment, on (011) 879 5700. Ts & Cs apply.

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Editorial contacts

Lashley Steeneveldt
ACS
LashleyS@acs.altech.co.za