Cybercrime has evolved with digitalisation, says Jeanetha Brink, owner of Jeanetha Brink Consulting. She is an advocate with more than 20 years' experience in various areas of legal and regulatory compliance.
"Most people don't think they would be affected. There are different types and levels of cybercrime, not all financially motivated, but we are all exposed whether we have a Facebook account, or whether a person is a financial director at a large financial institution and can be blackmailed because personal details had been obtained," elaborates Brink.
"On a personal level people should also take more responsibility such as using less predictable passwords, changing passwords frequently and being aware of their risks," she cautions.
She also warns organisations who have not yet put social media strategies in place that they are at risk of cybercrime and that merely blocking access in not a good enough measure. "I think they have no idea what their risk exposure is. Many of them block Internet access to social media sites during work hours and regard that as sufficient. I think the risk for reputational damage is extensive and companies should pay more attention to this," says Brink.
Brink will be among the speakers at the ITWeb Governance, Risk and Compliance 2017 in February. She is an experienced speaker and trainer who will challenge delegates' thinking with practical examples and solid application of foundational principles in their industry. She will be speaking about corporate governance and cyber risk focusing on understanding the compound effect of good governance in decision-making.
When speaking about the transparency of legislation in SA she had this to say: "I think there is increasing transparency and awareness especially, but in enforcing, what is required still depends on sufficient leadership. One should also bear in mind that most companies have international links and one can't only evaluate it based on local trends and legislation. The recent HSBC scandal about the bank allowing clients with terrorist links and the employee who was reprimanded for exposing the bank is an example where it was not about transparency and awareness but poor leadership."
Share