Conference focuses on safety against hack attacks
SANDTON - Cyberspace has become the fifth domain of warfare, after land, sea, air and space.

This was crises communications expert Janine Lloyd’s quote from The Economist in her address to delegates at a Hacking and Cracking conference at the Webber Wentzel offices in Sandton.
Lloyd explained a breach in an individual or company’s security system could result in a loss of revenue, business disruptions, brand damage, damaged relationships, and more importantly, a negative reputation.
This was why it was important for individuals and companies to have strategies in place to protect their information, and to be fully equipped to handle a cyber attack.
Webber Wentzel media and information lawyer Dario Milo explained the new Protection of Personal Information bill was awaiting signing by President Jacob Zuma, a process expected to take a few months. “Once enacted, companies will have around one year to get their house in order through installing sufficient measures to protect personal information,” he explained. He said personal information included, among other things, a person’s race, age, gender, ID number and address. Also, views of others about a person and confidential correspondence.
Webber Wentzel candidate attorney Greg Palmer said eight conditions formed the heart of the new bill. One of these, condition 7, was security safeguards.
He said non-compliance to the new bill could result in imprisonment of 10 years, and administrative fines of up to R10-million.
Lloyd provided strategies should a company or individual be targeted by a cyber attack:
- Tell your story quickly.
- Reacting after the event has made headlines is too late.
- Companies should proactively share information of the attack with staff, followed by stakeholders and the public, once details of the attack are confirmed.
- Updates should be provided as and when information is available.
- An apology goes a long way.
- Messaging should be consistent. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t count.
- -Customers should be told how the breach will affect them and what the company will do to amend the situation.
- Don’t lie to cover up the situation. Attempts to cover up will be discovered and result in permanent damage to a person’s reputation.
- Show concern and maintain customer relationships.