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Ignus De Villiers, Managing Executive Cyber Security, Liquid C2

In today’s fast-moving digital environment, organisations are investing heavily in new technologies, yet many still underestimate the importance of governing, managing and securing the data that powers them. 

“In the race to innovate and stay ahead of competitors, data security can easily fall behind,” says Ignus de Villiers, Managing Executive Cyber Security at Liquid C2. “This risk increases significantly when AI is introduced into the business environment without proper guardrails in place.”

Organisations need appropriate Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) guardrails in place from the outset. The ‘Secure by Design’ principle must be embedded into AI architecture, practices and processes from day one. This also requires the right tools to support policy adherence and data security across discovery and labelling, protection, detection and response, visibility, monitoring, assurance reporting and end-to-end management. A clear understanding of the data landscape is the foundation for building the right security posture. 

Key considerations include:

• Data at rest, data in transit and data in use;

• Structured and unstructured data repositories;

• On-premises and cloud-based data environments;

• Data classification requirements based on internal policies and procedures;

• Data access management and data access governance requirements;

• Threats/risks to all data regardless of type, location, or classification;

• Threats/risks associated with Shadow IT, and now Shadow AI; and

• Current safeguards and security controls to identify, detect and mitigate potential threats and risks.

The right approach to data security starts with this foundation, followed by the implementation of appropriate controls to support compliance, manage risk and enable effective data governance. Once these controls are in place, they must be tested for effectiveness, managed continuously, and supported by ongoing monitoring, analysis and incident response. In AI environments, security controls must also account for non-human activity, including the discovery of AI agents, the data sources they can access, and the safeguards required to prevent unauthorised access, external exposure or data leakage. Organisations must also address Shadow AI through application control measures that allow only sanctioned applications and AI solutions to be used. In the AI era, it is essential to deploy GRC and technical security controls that provide continuous visibility, control and assurance at the speed at which AI environments operate.

De Villiers explains that this process is not a once-off exercise, but a continuous cycle. “The rapid change taking place across the IT industry, combined with constantly evolving threats, means the security safeguards you implement today may not be effective tomorrow,” he says.

Data protection is a strategic and meticulous process, not an instant solution. It requires a structured approach that brings together governance, technology, processes and people. Partnering with the right security service provider helps organisations understand their data security needs, implement appropriate GRC practices, deploy the right technology solutions and services, and strengthen related capabilities such as incident response and security awareness.

“This is where Liquid C2’s value as a security service provider comes in,” De Villiers says. “We help organisations take control of their security posture. As a trusted security partner with pan-African reach, we ensure your data protection solutions are expertly deployed, optimally configured, and aligned to global best practices, while our advisory specialists guide you end-toend across governance, risk, and compliance to keep your business secure, compliant, and future-ready.”

As one of Microsofts leading providers in Africa, and in collaboration with other leading data security technology providers, Liquid C2 works proactively to help organisations prevent breaches, strengthen resilience and maintain control as they adopt AI and automation to advance their digital ambitions. 

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