The Exporters Eastern Cape recently hosted a cybersecurity crisis simulation workshop in Gqeberha to educate businesses on how to deal with cyber threats.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) estimates the impact of cybercrime on the SA economy to be R2.2bn a year.
The workshop was led by cybersecurity experts from KPMG’s technology risk division, Gustav d’Assonville and Manesh Purshotam, who shared insights into the evolving nature of cyberattacks and the critical need for robust defence mechanisms.
Ransomware remained one of the biggest cyber threats faced by organisations regardless of their size, d’Assonville said.
He said artificial intelligence (AI) had accelerated the sophistication of attacks, particularly through AI-driven impersonation tactics which could deceive even experienced professionals.
“Cybercriminals often breach companies to access sensitive data or compromise their supply chains,” he said.
“About 10% of ransomware victims are reported to pay the ransom, though the true number can be much higher.
“Our goal must be to bring that down to 0%.
“The only way to achieve this is by being adequately prepared.”
Purshotam facilitated a hands-on crisis simulation, guiding participants through real-world cyberattack scenarios and possible response strategies.
The interactive session helped attendees understand how to detect vulnerabilities, assess risks and implement immediate countermeasures.
Additionally, the presenters shared strategies for developing cybersecurity readiness plans, including: response and recovery protocols, effective communication during a breach and purpose-built defence strategies.
Exporters EC chair Quintin Levey emphasised the importance of collaboration and shared learning in combating cybercrime.
“Cybersecurity is not an IT problem — it must be seen as a business risk,” he said.
“Education and awareness are our best defences.
“Businesses must learn not only how to recover from attacks, but also how to prevent them through proactive strategies and information sharing.”
The event was hosted at Wirk, the software division of S4 Integration and a member of Exporters EC.
The Herald
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