South Africa and Africa Report

Global Digital Trust Insights Survey 2025

Publication
November 20, 2024

PwC’s Digital Trust Insights Survey 2025: South Africa and Africa report provides critical insights into the cybersecurity landscape in South Africa and Africa, and highlights the urgent need for robust cyber risk mitigation strategies.

Now in its 27th year, the report reflects the sentiments of 4,042 senior business executives worldwide, including 94 organisations from South Africa. The survey was conducted from May to July 2024 and its findings underscore the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures, as organisations navigate an increasingly complex security threat landscape.

Key findings of the report

Key findings reflected in the report include the following:

66% of South African organisations prioritise mitigating cyber risks, surpassing the global average of 57%. This proactive stance reflects heightened vigilance and a commitment to addressing the growing threat landscape.

45% of South African organisations measure the potential financial impact of cyber risks to a large extent. This practice helps organisations to prioritise cyber investments, allocate resources effectively, and communicate the value of their cybersecurity programs.

47% of South African organisations express significant concern about cloud-related threats over the next 12 months. This highlights the need for robust cloud security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure business continuity. As more businesses migrate to the cloud, the focus on securing these environments becomes paramount.

29% of South African organisations expect a six to ten percent increase in their cyber budget for 2025. This planned increase reflects the commitment from companies who are aiming to strengthen their cybersecurity defences and address the ever-evolving security threat landscape.

47% of South African organisations face significant challenges with internal stakeholder trust in genAI. This indicates a need for better communication, education, and trust-building measures to effectively integrate genAI technologies into their businesses.

34% of South African organisations are extremely confident in their compliance with data protection regulations. This high level of confidence reflects strong regulatory adherence, coupled with robust data protection practices.

68% of South African organisations view cybersecurity as a significant competitive advantage for business growth opportunities and staying ahead of business disruption. This perspective highlights the strategic importance of cybersecurity in achieving business objectives.

Key insights from Africa:

Generative AI challenges: African organisations face significant challenges with generative AI due to a lack of training resources.
Regulatory compliance confidence: 23% of African organisations are extremely confident in their compliance with data protection regulations.
Cybersecurity as a competitive advantage: 68% of African organisations view cybersecurity as critical for building customer trust and maintaining brand integrity.
Cyber risk quantification: 38% of African organisations measure the potential financial impact of cyber risks to a large extent.

For a detailed discussion on how these findings can impact your organisation, please feel free to reach out to us.

Download the publication here Global Digital Trust Insights Survey 2025: South Africa and Africa Report

PwC’s Digital Trust Insights Survey 2025: South Africa and Africa report provides critical insights into the cybersecurity landscape in South Africa and Africa.

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