Expert Advice

POPIA Compliance: Safeguarding Personal Information and Addressing Risks for FSPs

By Michelle du Plessis | August 2023

The digital age has brought about a significant shift in the way businesses operate, including how they handle personal information. Financial Service Providers (FSPs), in particular, have an important responsibility to safeguard their clients’ sensitive information.

Safire – Delivering Complaints Handling with Utmost Care and Attention

By Safire Legal Team | July 2023

At Safire, we prioritise our policyholders’ satisfaction above everything else. We take every complaint seriously, ensuring we give it the attention it deserves.

The importance of completing a record of advice for Short-term insurance policies in South Africa

By Michelle du Plessis | July 2023

Short-term insurance policies cater to a variety of needs in South Africa, from covering unforeseen household expenses to safeguarding against natural disasters. With the vast range of insurance options available, it’s crucial to choose a policy that suits your unique requirements, taking into account factors like your budget and potential risks.

Hawarden v Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc. case puts cybersecurity in the spotlight

By Michelle Opperman | April 2023

On 16 January 2023 the Johannesburg High Court handed down judgment in favour of the plaintiff in the matter of Hawarden v Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc [2023] ZAGPJHC 14. In a recent landmark ruling, the court had to confront an issue at the intersection of cyber security and corporate responsibility: whether or not organisations should be held liable for financial losses incurred through business email compromise (BEC), when their failure to protect against such risks is proven negligent.

FSCA makes amendments to the General Code of Conduct (GCOC)

By Michelle Opperman | April 2023

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has announced that the three amendments it proposed to its General Code of Conduct for Authorised FSPs ,and Representatives in November 2020 has come into effect. After hearing from industry stakeholders, two other proposed changes regarding advice fees were dropped, leaving us with a revised set of regulations effective as of 2 December 2022.

Navigating New Roads: Addressing the Risks of Self-Driving Vehicles

By Staff Writer | August 2023

Autonomous vehicle technology has come a long way in recent years, and the promise of a future where cars drive themselves is becoming more of a reality every day. However, with this cutting-edge technology comes new challenges, particularly when it comes to insurance. As the risks associated with autonomous vehicles are still largely unknown, insurers are faced with the task of reevaluating their policies and strategies to ensure that they are prepared for this new era of transportation.

The Rise of Solar Panel Theft: A Growing Concern for Short-Term Insurance Companies

By Gregory Botha | August 2023

Solar panel theft is on the rise, becoming a pressing concern for both short-term insurance companies and consumers. Criminals are capitalising on the popularity of renewable energy, resulting in an alarming increase in stolen solar panels and batteries from private residences and businesses.

Protecting against the Growing Trend of Keyless Carjacking

By Gregory Botha | July 2023

As technology evolves, so do the methods employed by criminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in our daily lives. According to Businesstech.co.za, vehicle tracking group, Tracker, has indicated that keyless access theft is emerging as one of the most common forms of vehicle theft in South Africa. This is according to the group’s latest Vehicle Crime Index (VCI).

3 ways criminals are taking advantage of load shedding

By Gregory Botha | April 2023

As businesses, homes and individuals face load shedding disruptions every day, it’s important to be aware of how criminals are exploiting the cover that darkness brings with it; from home burglaries, cable theft and hijacking. In this blog post we’ll explore three key risks posed by criminals when load shedding takes place.

Dealing with a corporate data breach: A guide for businesses

By Megan Stella | August 2023

In an era characterised by rapid change, vast amounts of information, and complex challenges the importance of critical thinking has never been greater. As routine tasks become more automated, it is critical thinking that will allow us to adapt to new challenges, identify opportunities and find innovative solutions.

App download safety: protecting your devices and data

By Megan Stella | August 2023

In an era characterised by rapid change, vast amounts of information, and complex challenges the importance of critical thinking has never been greater. As routine tasks become more automated, it is critical thinking that will allow us to adapt to new challenges, identify opportunities and find innovative solutions.

Secure online shopping: safeguarding your financial information

By Megan Stella | August 2023

In an era characterised by rapid change, vast amounts of information, and complex challenges the importance of critical thinking has never been greater. As routine tasks become more automated, it is critical thinking that will allow us to adapt to new challenges, identify opportunities and find innovative solutions.

The Dangers of Public Wi-Fi: How to Safeguard your Privacy

By Megan Stella | August 2023

In an era characterised by rapid change, vast amounts of information, and complex challenges the importance of critical thinking has never been greater. As routine tasks become more automated, it is critical thinking that will allow us to adapt to new challenges, identify opportunities and find innovative solutions.

The Importance of Critical Thinking in the Modern Era

By Megan Stella | August 2023

In an era characterised by rapid change, vast amounts of information, and complex challenges the importance of critical thinking has never been greater. As routine tasks become more automated, it is critical thinking that will allow us to adapt to new challenges, identify opportunities and find innovative solutions.

Understanding the Increasing Threat of AI-Enabled Disinformation

By Megan Stella | July 2023

The spread of misinformation has become increasingly prevalent in today’s digital world. As Artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more mainstream, so too does the threat of algorithms to create, share, and amplify false information to manipulate public opinion and mislead people into believing false statements.

The Security Risks Posed by ChatGPT

By Megan Stella | July 2023

As AI-powered language models like ChatGPT begin to transform the way we interact with technology, a critical question looms large: how secure are these virtual conversationalists when it comes to safeguarding sensitive information?

6 Major Trends in cyber security for 2023

By Megan Stella | April 2023

As we enter an era of digital domination, the importance of cyber security has become paramount for companies across all industries. It’s no longer just large enterprises that need to worry about their online safety – any business can be a target!

World Backup Day – How to keep your data safe

By Megan Stella | March 2023

World Backup Day, commemorated on the 31 March, is an annual reminder to take caution when it comes to the data on our devices, reminding us of the importance of creating regular backups.