As technology evolves so does the sophistication of cyber-attacks. Cybersecurity solutions quickly become ineffective as the threat landscape evolves. Proactive cyber-defence utilising AI represents potential solutions to the evolving cyberthreat landscape. Technological advancements driven by the IoT and 4IR bring significant benefits for businesses and consumers. However, these digital disruption place pressure on cybersecurity solutions as cybercriminals exploit emerging technologies. Agile cybersecurity solutions are necessary.

Today cyber threats affect the fabric of social life, as trust, confidentiality and privacy can be trampled upon as a result of cyber-attacks. The way it affects societies, cultures, religions and demographics may differ significantly in scope and severity.

The number of firms offering digital financial services is booming with many having some level of protection and others less so. Fintech is at the forefront of the transformation in the financial industry and is transforming the way we exchange value transacting cyberspace and the security and safeguarding for ownership of assets and data is becoming increasingly important.

Legislation relating to the protection of personal information and data privacy exist or are in development in many countries. In South Africa for example the passing of the POPIA and the imminent promulgation of the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity bill provides the legislative framework for the protection of cyberspace in South Africa. Additionally, South Africa’s National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF) places obligations on sectors to create a collective capability envisaged as sector Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs). The operationalisation of these national and sector CSIRTs are the coal face of Cybersecurity. While CSIRTs are the accepted strategy for South Africa to address cybersecurity, many countries approach this differently. These methodologies are effective to different degrees. In this session these strategies and their effectiveness will be interrogated with a view to understanding their role in regulating public discourse and business behaviour.

The increasing integration of technology into the everyday lives of consumers presents prime opportunities for criminals. It is not clear whether consumers understand the security risks posed by personal and integrated computer devices.