Why data security is vital

Since the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act was enforced in July 2021 in South Africa, data security has become a legal requirement for enterprises. Data protection laws have prompted businesses to handle their customers’ information more responsibly, investing more into the right cyber security solutions.

The global average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million and in South Africa the average cost was over R56 million. In a recent survey, almost 80% of respondents felt they had lost control over their personal data online. Rising cyber crime is a threat to South African businesses, particularly those with inadequate tools to deal with cyber attacks.

Most large enterprises allocate reasonable budgets for cyber and data security. Small and medium-sized businesses, however, tend to overlook the importance of data security. SEACOM Business offers various cyber security solutions to large enterprises and medium-sized businesses. These services help to protect digital information and prevent an array of cyber attacks.

Improving data security

There are a number of issues that contribute to poor data security in South Africa. Ageing or legacy IT infrastructure, a lack of knowledge around data privacy, a lack of digital skills and poor cyber security all contribute to inadequate data security.

If these issues are not taken seriously, businesses run the risk of exposing their customers’ personal information or having critical business data corrupted by malware. Ransomware and DDoS attacks can cripple an organisation if effective cyber protection tools and policies are not in place.

Companies looking to improve their data security should choose a solution that includes automatic threat detection and response. Cloud-based data security offers comprehensive protection because of advanced machine learning capabilities. Intelligent security from a centralised remote platform makes it easier for it teams to deploy monitor and manage their cyber security requirements

Encryption for data security

Data encryption is a key element for data security. It prevents data from being exposed to threat actors, thereby protecting data against ransomware or targeted attacks. These days, multi-layered encryption is needed to protect data at both the system and user level. When device and the user data are encrypted, this will ensure that valuable digital assets are kept safe from internal and external threats.

With SEACOM Business, advanced encryption tools are customisable. For example, if encryption is disabled by a user or administrator, even by accident, it will trigger an alert to a specific person or team. Business data is encrypted across platforms which makes this ideal for hybrid networks operating both on-premises and in the cloud. Our solutions are easy to deploy and manage via a user-friendly centralised console.

Remote access control for improved data security

Another key area for improving data security is remote access control. While encryption is a necessity, it doesn't provide complete data protection. Compromised credentials leave business networks exposed to threat actors. The work-from-anywhere trend seems to be here to stay. For businesses to maintain excellent visibility, they need to know who is accessing their networks and from which devices.

SEACOM Business offers remote access control to allow businesses to monitor users and devices quickly and easily. With just one click from a central console data access can be instantly granted or revoked. Our security solutions include automation for risk management and risk measurement.

This security software instantly and automatically responds to compromised credentials. By measuring the level of risk, the software will take appropriate action, for example destroying data when a device is stolen or simply quarantining data if there is a chance it can be recovered later.

With the right cyber security tools in place it's possible for businesses to demonstrate that they are compliant with data protection laws. In South Africa, data security breaches can result in fines of up to R10 million or a 10-year jail sentence, depending on the severity of the breach. If devices are lost or stolen, the company needs to prove that the data has been encrypted and that they can destroy any data on that device.

Data security in South Africa

Data security affects all industries but particularly large enterprises holding millions of records of personal information. In March 2022, three million South Africans were affected by a data security breach at TransUnion. Stolen data included personal information, ID numbers, contact details and employment details.

A few years earlier, in 2017, 54 million records were breached in a cyber attack on TransUnion. Another major breach happened in May 2022 when 3.6 million records were exposed in a breach affecting the retail pharmacy giant Dis-Chem. During the month of May 2022, 250 million records were breached in 77 security incidents around the world - an indication of the scale of data theft.

Cyber security solutions with SEACOM Business

SEACOM Business offers enterprise-grade cybersecurity that ensures your data is fully protected at all times. This includes advanced level encryption, remote access control and automated reporting systems to ensure you maintain regulatory compliance.

Our solutions are tailor-made for businesses, whether they are enterprises of 500+ employees or SMEs with only a handful of staff. Improving data security requires a holistic approach. Companies risk hefty fines or even prison sentences if they fail to maintain regulatory compliance. For more information about our cyber security solutions, please contact us today.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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