ITWeb Security Summit 2020 – the country’s premier cyber security event and annual gathering of SA and Africa’s cyber security professionals and decision-makers, will now be held as a virtual summit, from 25-28 August.

Angela Mace, CRM and Events director of ITWeb, says in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety and security of delegates and speakers had to come first.

“At the same time, we couldn’t bear to disappoint the hundreds of delegates that attend the summit each year, and use the event as an opportunity to see the latest tools and solutions, as well as shape their cyber security strategies going forward.”

She says holding a virtual summit was the clear solution, and that all speakers are excited to be on-board. “The event will still offer a unique platform that sees leading global and local information security minds exchange knowledge and experience, as well as discuss the most up-to-date tools and solutions.”

In addition, Mace says there are several exciting international keynote speakers. “We will have Charl van der Walt, Head of Security Research, Orange Cyberdefense, and George Beebe, vice-president and director of Studies at the Center for National Interest (USA).

"In addition, we will be joined by Jo Stewart-Rattray, director of Information Security & IT Assurance at BRM Advisory, and Dr Kenneth Geers, senior fellow, Atlantic Council and Ambassador, NATO Cyber Centre, who will be speaking at the summit for the second time.

"The theme of the event is: ‘Increasing your cyber agility to build secure ecosystems’ and the event promises to help delegates to achieve exactly that,” adds Mace.

“Today’s security landscape is increasingly complex, a challenge that hasn’t been helped by workforces across the globe having had to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the pandemic has widened the attack surface immensely, and the event will delve into how this has transformed cyber security across the globe.”

The pandemic has also seen the perimeters of the traditional organisation are shifting and blurring, and attackers are taking full advantage, and are constantly coming up with ever more cunning schemes and sophisticated tools to evade security nets.

“These days, it is more crucial than ever for businesses to protect their remote workforces, networks and other information assets, and arm themselves with the latest knowledge, techniques and solutions to harden their defences and prevent malefactors from achieving their ends,” says Mace.