NEWORDER Partners with Lasso Security to Safeguard AI in South Africa
The collaboration aims to enhance AI security and oversight across South African organizations.
The Full Story
NEWORDER, a tactical managed cybersecurity firm based in Pretoria, has announced its partnership with Lasso Security, a Tel Aviv-based AI security company, to enhance AI protection measures in South Africa. This collaboration aims to provide organizations with robust security solutions against adversarial attacks on AI agents, a growing concern given the increasing deployment of AI technologies in various sectors. Through this partnership, NEWORDER will run continuous adversarial testing against AI agents used by local businesses, simulating potential threats to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
An AI agent is a sophisticated piece of software that executes tasks by interpreting data and making decisions autonomously, akin to a junior employee with access to systems but operating without oversight. Concerns have arisen over the lack of visibility organizations have over these agents, many of whom have been incorporated into business operations without proper registration or monitoring. Bennie Barnard, NEWORDER’s chief commercial officer, noted that most organizations struggle to keep track of all AI agents deployed in their systems.
The new platform will act as a safeguard between AI agents and the various business systems they interact with. It has the capability to identify unregistered agents and scrutinize their actions before executing tasks, thereby preventing unauthorized instructions and actions that could jeopardize organizational security. As the landscape of AI continues to evolve, so do the compliance requirements. Barnard emphasized that despite the absence of formal AI legislation in South Africa, organizations are still obliged to ensure operational integrity and compliance through existing frameworks such as the King IV Report, which mandates board accountability.
With the increasing incidents of AI-related risks, including unauthorized data access through seemingly benign communication, NEWORDER’s offerings seek to provide a safety net for businesses navigating the complexities of AI technologies. The collaboration comes at a crucial time, as organizations strive to harness the power of AI while mitigating associated risks. Lasso Security, founded in 2023, has established a strong presence across Europe, the US, and Israel, which adds international expertise to NEWORDER's local operations.
This strategic alliance signifies a major step forward in ensuring AI systems are effective and secure, paving the way for a more reliable integration of technology into everyday business practices. As AI adoption accelerates in South Africa, the demand for stringent security measures becomes increasingly critical. Both NEWORDER and Lasso Security are committed to effectively securing organizational operations and promoting responsible AI use in the country. As businesses adopt more AI solutions, ensuring compliance and security will be paramount in safeguarding valuable data and maintaining consumer trust.
Why It Matters
The partnership between NEWORDER and Lasso Security is crucial for improving AI oversight in South Africa, as it addresses increasing concerns around AI security vulnerabilities. Enhanced protection will help organizations mitigate potential risks associated with AI adoption.
What's Next
NEWORDER will commence deployment of the new AI protection platform across local businesses, aiming to establish benchmarks for AI compliance and security in South Africa as the adoption of AI technologies continues to grow swiftly in the region.