JOHANNESBURG, South Africa - 
(EINPresswire via NewMediaWire) - February 3, 2014 - IT Governance, the fast-growing cyber security services provider, is advising South African companies that implementing ISO 27001, the international information security management standard, could prove instrumental for achieving compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, which was enacted in November 2013.
All South African companies are required to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act and those that have already implemented an information security management system in accordance with ISO 27001, or can prove ISO 27001 certification, are likely to be in a much better position to meet their regulatory obligations. Recently, Mint Management Technologies became the first South African-owned IT company to gain certification to ISO 27001. According to the 2013 Norton Symantec Report, 70% of South Africans have been a victim of cybercrime and risky behaviour compared to the global average of 50%. With cyber crime on the rise, the expectations are that more businesses will turn to ISO 27001 for help.
Alan Calder, the Founder and Chief Executive of IT Governance, led the first certification to the ISO 27001 standard (formerly BS 7799) in the world. Calder, a South African, knows only too well the challenges businesses face when embarking on an ISO 27001 project. As a matter of fact, this is what has motivated him to set up a company that helps address these challenges from a business perspective and serves as a one-stop-shop for information security management solutions.
Yet, Calder also likes to stress the benefits which make ISO 27001 implementation all the more worthwhile.
“ISO 27001 is the backbone of cyber security and is instrumental for protecting any data (including confidential and personal information) from cyber crime, theft or lost. Implementing the standard makes fulfilling the compliance requirements of any related legislation (such as the Protection of Personal Information Act) considerably easier for organisations. Moreover, by implementing ISO 27001, businesses ensure that they have effective controls in place to manage risk and protect personal information.”
In 2013 IT Governance launched its very own e-commerce business operation in South Africa, where its founder has already delivered projects to both public and private sector clients.
Calder adds “IT Governance’s experience in information security management and ISO 27001 spans more than 15 years. We know the financial, operational and resource challenges businesses face when implementing the standard. By launching our South African ecommerce operations we are closing a gap in the South African market. We offer valuable and cost-effective resources developed by reputable experts to meet the implementation and compliance needs of information security professionals.”
www.itgovernancesa.co.za aims to be the one-stop-shop for everything related to information security and ISO 27001, from books and tools to training courses and consultancy.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
IT Governance Ltd is the single-source provider for books, tools, training and consultancy for IT governance, risk management and compliance. The company is a leading authority on cyber security and IT governance for business and the public sector. IT Governance is ‘non-geek’, approaching IT issues from a non-technology background and talking to management in its own language. The company’s customer base spans Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, South Africa and Asia. More information is available at: www.itgovernancesa.co.za.
Desi Aleksandrova
IT Governance
+27 (0) 87 550 2768