Tshitego Segaetsho, newly appointed Executive Director: ICT Governance, Risk and Compliance, Unisa

Unisa’s newly appointed Executive Director of ICT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), Tshitego Moses Segaetsho, acknowledges that cybersecurity remains one of the top risks in any organisation, and Unisa is no exception. "I have to ensure that proper controls are implemented to safeguard Unisa’s 'crown jewels', which cover the data and information relating to, among others, all the university’s stakeholders, and intellectual property in the form of curriculum, research and innovation projects."

His new role at Unisa entails providing strategic leadership and overseeing the implementation of information and communications technology (ICT) governance, risk and compliance strategies, policies and programmes, in accordance with relevant legislation and in alignment with the strategic objectives of the institution. Holding a Master’s in Information Technology, Segaetsho has a proven track record in corporate governance and information technology (IT) governance and management.

He is a professional Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) and a chartered governance professional. He has worked extensively in business and ICT across various industries and sectors. Segaetsho has progressed through various leadership positions like at the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA), a supreme audit institution which is recognised globally as a pioneer and leader in public sector auditing and the development of global auditing standards.

Segaetsho’s passion is to contribute to the organisation’s strategy development and to ensure that it achieves its strategic goals and objectives. He would also like to ensure that it derives value from its business and technology investments through the implementation of sustainable and sound corporate governance principles and practices. He strongly believes in giving back to his community and the profession by volunteering to serve on boards and committees of non-profit organisations.

"My vision and plan for the department is to become a strategic partner to the combined assurances partners, as well as other Unisa departments, and a centre of excellence and innovation in the ICT GRC, provide superior user experience through an integrated, automated GRC platform, and focus on balancing conformance/compliance with performance," said Segaetsho.

He added that the "work from home" (WFH) dispensation forced onto Unisa staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic also calls for innovative ways of ensuring a secure environment for staff while they carry on their duties off campus. He believes that ongoing security awareness and education for Unisans will play a key mitigating role to ensure that staff do not fall victim to phishing e-mails from hackers. "We need to strengthen the human firewall, in addition to existing digital controls such as firewalls and anti-virus scanning software systems."

"The Covid-19 pandemic has fast-tracked digital transformation, with both the downside and upside risks. From a downside risk perspective, most organisations were caught unprepared and one key area of exposure is cybersecurity controls, which need to be strengthened to protect the data and information assets of the educational institutions, including Unisa. Educational institutions need to ensure that the compliance universe is up-to-date and addresses all the key compliance risks, including but not limited to compliance with ICT-related legislation such as the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Acts."

The man behind the leader

1. What is your favourite getaway activity from work?

Running to get blood flowing and clear my head. I am also a sports fanatic, and particularly prefer soccer. Locally, I follow and support Kaizer Chiefs and, abroad, Manchester United and Barcelona are my favourite teams.

2. What is your favourite holiday destination outside SA?

I enjoyed visiting Ghana in 2017 and took a guided tour of the capital city, Accra, on foot, and would like to go back and tour the rest of the country. I felt so much at home with my tour guide and it was interesting to finally visit and see all the historical monuments, including Kwame Nkruma’s grave, that we often read about. On the downside, it was very sad to see children being denied school and used at one of the Accra’s fishing ports.

3. Which music genre do you prefer?

I generally like good music and I have no specific preference. However, music from African legends and icons like the late Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi and Ringo Madlingozi, to name a few, makes me feel relaxed. I believe that "local is lekker". I also enjoy choral music and enjoyed the recent performances by the Ndlovu Choir.

4. Tell us about a quote you live by.

A few quotes by the late Dr Nelson Mandela:

• "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
  Being a lifelong learner, I have been able to achieve things I would not have achieved had it not been for the learnings that I have gone through.
• "It always seems impossible, until it is done."
  Every time I hesitate or procrastinate to do something, I remind myself of this quote and before I realise, it is done, and I look back with pride. Sometimes we put obstacles in our own way; we plan things and find excuses not to do them or even try.

* By Nancy Legodi, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement