LIVINGSTONE – Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Chief Executive Officer Sonny Zulu has called on organisations to adopt integrated governance frameworks, warning that artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity threats and rapid digital transformation have transformed technology risks into strategic boardroom issues.
Speaking during the 26th Governance, Risk and Control (GRC) Conference in Livingstone, Mr. Zulu said cyber incidents can no longer be treated as isolated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) problems because they have the potential to trigger financial, legal and reputational crises.
He observed that the rapid pace of technological change, particularly the adoption of artificial intelligence, has outgrown traditional governance structures, making it necessary for organisations to rethink how digital risks are identified, managed and governed.
Mr. Zulu said organisations should move beyond asking whether digital risks exist and instead focus on whether they are effectively governing those risks through integrated systems that bring together technology, compliance, risk management and business leadership.
Using the banking sector as an example, he explained that a mobile banking outage is not simply an ICT issue but also a customer service, regulatory, financial and reputational challenge that affects an entire organisation.
He further noted that the increasing use of AI in sectors such as healthcare raises important governance and ethical questions, particularly around accountability when technology influences decisions that directly affect people's lives.
Meanwhile, ISACA Lusaka Chapter President Alinani Simuchimba said stronger integration of governance, risk and control frameworks is essential as organisations continue accelerating digital transformation and adopting AI-driven technologies to improve efficiency and innovation.
Mr. Simuchimba said this year's conference theme, "Integrated Governance in the Digital Era: Navigating AI, Cyberspace and Regulatory Complexity," reflects the growing need for institutions to strengthen governance systems in response to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and evolving regulatory requirements.
He added that the two-day conference brought together industry leaders, governance professionals and technology experts to discuss AI governance and assurance, analytics-driven assurance, data governance, data privacy regulations and other emerging issues aimed at strengthening organisational resilience.
Source: Sun FM TV News