Cisco’s Conrad Steyn on the role of security in the age of AI

As Africa's digital revolution continues to gain momentum in the age of artificial intelligence, the imperative role of security becomes increasingly crucial. Conrad Steyn, Leader, Country Digital Acceleration, Sub-Saharan Africa, Cisco, sheds light on the importance of securing connectivity for rural growth and ensuring robust e-commerce platforms. Cisco, a leading cybersecurity company globally, emphasizes the significance of safeguarding user security, device security, and network security in the era of AI. With the growing adoption of AI in infrastructure deployment, around 83 to 84 percent of organizations are leveraging AI, making it essential to secure these technologies. However, a mere 15 percent of enterprises have a mature security strategy in place, highlighting the need to support the remaining 47 percent in enhancing their security measures. Steyn points out the challenges that come with improving digital connectivity in Africa and underscores the importance of addressing them through a holistic security architecture and framework. Collaboration with governing bodies and local governments is crucial in creating new policies that incorporate AI and ensure the protection of personal information. Africa's market niche is continuously growing for Cisco, particularly in building service provider-based networks and fiber networks. The recent announcement of the Hypershield security portfolio, focused on AI generation, demonstrates Cisco's commitment to embedding security into all platforms, enhancing ease of use for citizens. Looking ahead, Steyn emphasizes the need for African nations to come together to deepen connectivity and support the burgeoning youth innovation. Aligning countries, fostering interconnectivity, and creating an African cloud can expand skills and availability across the continent, facilitating hybrid work and unified technologies to make a significant impact on Africa's digital future.