AI and cyber security: South Africa’s next battleground
June 2025
IT in Manufacturing
By Boland Lithebe, security lead for Accenture, Africa.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a double-edged sword in the world of cybersecurity. In South Africa, where cybercrime is on the rise, AI presents both an opportunity and a threat.
From sophisticated cyberattacks to AI-driven defence mechanisms, the landscape is shifting faster than our regulatory frameworks and corporate security policies can keep up. South Africa is one of the most targeted countries in Africa for cybercrime. Banks, government entities and businesses are prime targets for ransomware, phishing and data breaches.
AI is fuelling these attacks in unprecedented ways. Cyber criminals are now leveraging machine learning to automate attacks, crack passwords faster and create even more convincing phishing emails. AI-powered malware can evade traditional security measures, making it harder for companies to detect breaches before it’s too late.
Boland Lithebe, security lead for Accenture, Africa.
But just as AI enables cyber criminals, it can also strengthen defences. AI-driven threat detection systems can analyse patterns, flag anomalies and predict attacks before they happen. In a country like South Africa, where cybersecurity skills are in short supply, AI could play a crucial role in bridging the gap. Financial institutions, for instance, have started using AI to detect fraudulent transactions in real-time. AI-powered threat intelligence platforms are helping businesses automate their response to cyber incidents, reducing reaction time and limiting damage.
Despite its promise, AI-driven cybersecurity is not without its challenges. For one, South Africa lacks a comprehensive AI regulatory framework. Without clear guidelines, businesses may struggle to implement AI security measures ethically and effectively. Additionally, AI is only as good as the data it is trained on. If local businesses do not invest in high-quality cybersecurity data, AI tools may be less effective in identifying unique threats relevant to South Africa’s digital ecosystem.
For AI to truly bolster cybersecurity in South Africa, the government and private sector must take urgent steps. There is a critical need to build local expertise in AI and cyber security. Universities and companies should collaborate on AI-security programmes to equip professionals with the necessary skills.
Regulators must create policies that guide AI use in cybersecurity while ensuring ethical considerations are met. Businesses, government and cybersecurity firms must work together to share AI-driven threat intelligence and build robust defense mechanisms. South African businesses need to move beyond traditional security measures and invest in AI-driven cybersecurity tools to stay ahead of threats. AI is reshaping the cybersecurity battlefield.
If South Africa does not act swiftly, it risks falling behind in the fight against cybercrime. Now is the time to harness AI’s potential to build a more secure digital future.
For more information contact Jonathan Mahapa, Accenture South Africa, + 27 11 208 3947, [email protected], www.accenture.com
Further reading:
Why choose between Capex and Opex if you can Totex?
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a sector marked by cyclical demand, high capital intensity, and increasing regulatory and sustainability pressures, mining, minerals and metals (MMM) companies are re-evaluating how they approach procurement and investment.
Read more...
AI and the smart factory
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Imagine walking into a factory where machines can think ahead, predict problems before they happen and automatically make adjustments to realise peak performance. This isn’t science fiction, it’s happening right now as AI continues to transform how we run industrial operations.
Read more...
Why your supply chain should be a competitive advantage
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The last five years have placed unprecedented strain on global supply chains. Leading companies are turning the challenge into an opportunity to transform their supply chains into a competitive advantage.
Read more...
Why AI will never truly understand machines
Wearcheck
IT in Manufacturing
Cutting-edge technology and solutions powered by AI are embraced by specialist condition monitoring company, WearCheck, where the extreme accuracy of data used to assess and diagnose machine health is paramount.
Read more...
Buildings and microgrids for a greener future
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Buildings are no longer passive consumers of power. Structures of almost every size are evolving into dynamic energy ecosystems capable of generating, storing and distributing their own electricity. Forming part of this exciting transformation are microgrids.
Read more...
Traditional data centres are not fit for purpose
IT in Manufacturing
Traditional data centre designs are falling short, with nearly half of IT leaders admitting their current infrastructure does not support energy or carbon-reduction goals. New research commissioned by Lenovo reveals that data centre design must evolve to future-proof businesses.
Read more...
AI agents for digital environment management in SA
IT in Manufacturing
The conversation about artificial intelligence in South Africa has shifted rapidly over the past year. Among the technologies changing the pace of business are AI agents - autonomous, task-driven systems designed to operate with limited human input.
Read more...
AI-powered maintenance in future-ready data centres
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
The data centre marketplace often still relies on outdated maintenance methods to manage mission-critical equipment. Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) is powered by AI and is fast becoming a necessity in ensuring both competitiveness and resilience.
Read more...
Powering up data centre mega development
IT in Manufacturing
Parker Hannifin has secured a major contract to supply key equipment for nearly 30 aeroderivative gas turbines powering a new hyperscale data centre in Texas.
Read more...
Building resilient supply chains through smarter e-procurement
RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
In a time of constant disruption, from supply chain uncertainty to rising operational costs, businesses that embrace digital procurement are better positioned to stay competitive and resilient.
Read more...
printer friendly version