South Africa’s rapid digital expansion is reshaping how organizations operate, connect, and scale, bringing cybersecurity to the forefront of national and enterprise priorities. As cloud adoption, data-driven services, and connected technologies accelerate across sectors, safeguarding digital assets, infrastructure, and trust has become a strategic imperative rather than a technical afterthought.
Curated by Exito Media Concepts, a global leader in B2B technology platforms, the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 serves as a premier executive forum dedicated to strengthening cyber resilience across the region. The summit will bring together 200+ C-level executives, CISOs, security leaders, and technology decision-makers to address the evolving threat landscape and the growing complexity of securing modern digital ecosystems.
Through focused discussions on AI-driven security, cloud and identity protection, threat intelligence, automation, blockchain, IoT security, and regulatory compliance, the summit will deliver actionable strategies, real-world insights, and collaborative opportunities to help organizations build resilient, future-ready security frameworks capable of supporting long-term digital growth.
Case Study: Building Cyber-Resilient Enterprises in South Africa
A major South African enterprise within the telecommunications sector undertook a comprehensive cybersecurity transformation to secure its expanding digital infrastructure and customer ecosystem. With millions of users dependent on its digital platforms, the organization faced rising exposure to sophisticated threats such as ransomware, phishing, and network-based attacks, alongside stringent regulatory and data protection requirements.
To mitigate these risks, the enterprise adopted a zero-trust security architecture across its IT and network environments, enabling continuous verification of users, devices, and applications. Cloud security was strengthened through centralized identity and access management, secure APIs, and improved visibility across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
AI-driven threat detection and real-time monitoring enhanced the organization’s ability to identify anomalies and respond proactively to incidents. Security automation further reduced response times, minimized operational risk, and improved business continuity. In parallel, targeted upskilling initiatives strengthened internal capabilities across security operations, threat intelligence, cloud security, and compliance.
This transformation underscores the importance of cyber resilience in safeguarding digital trust and operational stability, which are the key focus areas at the 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026, where security leaders will convene to address evolving cyber risks and share best practices.
Event overview
The 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 is the country’s premier executive-level forum dedicated to strengthening enterprise cyber resilience. The summit will bring together 200+ C-level executives, CISOs, security leaders, and technology decision-makers to examine the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and the growing complexity of securing modern digital environments.
Through focused discussions on AI-driven security, cloud and identity protection, threat intelligence, blockchain and IoT security, automation, and regulatory compliance, the summit will deliver strategic insights, practical frameworks, and real-world approaches to safeguarding critical digital infrastructure and ensuring business continuity.
Date: 12th March 2026
Time: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Venue: Indaba Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, South Africa
Supporting Partner:
The Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 is supported by the ISC2 Gauteng Chapter and the Cloud Security Alliance, reinforcing the event’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity excellence, professional development, and collaborative security practices across South Africa’s digital ecosystem.
Meet the Visionaries
The 29th Edition of the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026 will feature some of the country’s most influential cybersecurity and technology leaders, sharing insights on cyber resilience, risk management, digital trust, and securing enterprise ecosystems. Below are a few of the distinguished advisory board members and speakers joining CSS South Africa 2026, alongside many more industry experts and thought leaders:
Advisory Board
Julian Ankiah, Chief Information Security Officer, MultiChoice Group
Fundi Rarane, VP: Cyber Security – Business Engagement Lead Absa Group
Speakers
Dr. Denisha Jairam-Owthar, Group Chief Information Office, Council for Medical Schemes
Jongikhaya Stuurman, Chief Information Officer, PetroSA
Meshack Ndwandwe, Chief Information Officer, First National Bank South Africa
Tumelo Zwane, Chief Information Officer, Special Investigating Unit
Emily Manganyi, Chief Information Security Officer, JSE
Key topics to be covered
Attendees will examine South Africa’s most pressing cybersecurity priorities through focused discussions, including:
- AI & National Cyber Defense: Using AI to strengthen threat intelligence, public-sector readiness, and public–private collaboration while addressing data governance and digital sovereignty.
- AI as Threat vs. AI as Shield: SOC automation, AI-driven attacks, ethical deployment, and strategic guidance for CISOs navigating emerging risks.
- Cyber Risk & Critical Infrastructure: Securing OT–IT environments, lessons from recent infrastructure breaches, and coordinated incident response.
- Cloud, Sovereignty & Compliance: Navigating POPIA, cross-border data risks, sovereign cloud models, and emerging AI regulations.
- Secure Innovation: Embedding security by design across DevOps, CI/CD, and fast-paced digital environments.
About Exito
Exito stands for “success” — a principle reflected in every experience we design. With over 15 years of experience, Exito is a globally recognized B2B events and media organization, delivering 240+ conferences annually across technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, healthcare, and emerging enterprise sectors.
Through carefully curated agendas, global speaker communities, and market-driven insights, Exito creates platforms that foster strategic collaboration, accelerate innovation adoption, and drive measurable business outcomes worldwide.
For more details on the Cyber Security Summit – South Africa 2026, visit: https://exito-e.com/cybersecuritysummit/south-africa/
