Cybersecurity is not a cost. It’s a commitment.
We often think of cybersecurity as something IT handles quietly in the background—but that mindset no longer matches the reality. Today, cyber threats are more sophisticated, more frequent, and more personal. And as AI-powered attacks and ransomware risks grow across the region, cybersecurity must become a strategic conversation—not just a technical one.
I was recently inspired by a piece in Harvard Business Review that reframes cybersecurity as a form of stewardship. That word stuck with me. It’s not about control or compliance, it’s about care. Care for our customers’ trust, our data integrity, and our collective future. That perspective is especially relevant as we help businesses navigate the shift to cloud-based workflows, intelligent document capture, and more secure, digitised environments.
At Kyocera, we’ve taken that stewardship seriously. Our secure-by-design principles are not just product features, they’re part of our philosophy. We embed security at every level, from encrypted devices and secure boot sequences to firmware control, user authentication, and AI-enhanced threat detection. And we help our customers understand not only what risks exist, but what it will cost if they don’t address them.
In South Africa, this is critical. Many businesses are accelerating digital transformation, especially as paper volumes continue to decline in key sectors. But fewer are proactively investing in secure infrastructure to support that shift. According to Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index, 5% of mid-sized organisations globally are at a mature level of cyber preparedness. That gap is an opportunity for us, as trusted partners, to lead with insight and action.
So this week, I challenge you to think like a steward. Ask not just “what does this security solution cost?” but, “what will it cost if we don’t secure it?” Connect the dots between operational risk, business value, and long-term trust. And wherever possible, help your customers take the next proactive step before they’re forced into reactive firefighting.
We protect more than just data. We protect peace of mind.
Ivan Weincier - IT Manager - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa
