October marks Cyber Awareness Month a global initiative encouraging businesses to assess their digital resilience. But in South Africa, this isn’t just a campaign. It’s a wake-up call.

Recently, a logistics company in Gauteng faced a full-scale cyberattack. Their dispatch system was breached, emails stopped, trucks were grounded, and a ransom was demanded. By the time operations resumed, the business had lost millions and more critically, client trust.

Unfortunately, this scenario is no longer rare. It’s becoming routine. And many South African businesses remain vulnerable.

Reality on the ground - Interpol reports a sharp rise in cybercrime across South Africa, with transport, logistics, and commercial sectors particularly exposed due to their reliance on interconnected systems.

Recent local data reveals:

• The average cost of a data breach in South Africa is R44 million

• Cybercrime poses a serious threat to the survival of small businesses

• Many organisations lack cyber-specific insurance or misunderstand what their policies actually cover

At ASI Financial Services, we’ve seen firsthand how a cyber incident can impact a business not just financially, but emotionally and reputationally. That’s why our approach to insurance goes beyond protection. It’s about building confidence.

Cyber wellness starts with leadership - Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it’s a leadership priority. Creating a culture of cyber awareness across every level of the organisation is essential.

Cyber wellness means:

• Empowering employees to identify and respond to risks

• Embedding security into daily operations

• Regularly auditing systems, processes, and protocols

Ensuring insurance cover is fit-for-purpose and clearly understood because the goal isn’t to fear technology it’s to work smarter with it, knowing your systems and your people are supported.