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Chemical Technology • January 2016
FOCUS ON CONTROL &AUTOMATION
Not only is the introduction of mandatory
protection of personal data a huge chal-
lenge for companies, but now organisations
are being prompted to rethink how they
approach the reuse, recycling or recovery
of their eWaste. Xperien suggests the new
Protection of Personal Information (PoPI)
Act will have serious consequences in the
near future.
The successful adoption of this Act will
depend on a comprehensive understand-
ing of the digital aspect of the new laws.
Companies will be forced to change their
processes to ensure that the personal infor-
mation and data they collect is protected.
The PoPI Act is awaiting an implementation
date, it will hold organisations liable for the
safety of their information. Companies could
face massive fines, civil claims and reputa-
tional damage claims if they fail to upgrade
information technology security systems
ahead of the implementation of the Act.
Xperien CEO Wale Arewa says the PoPI
Act will force companies to change their
attitude towards IT security. “When we
partnered with IACT-Africa, we soon realised
that instead of it being a burden, as it is seen
by most organisations, the PoPI Act actually
presented us with opportunities.”
“That’s our experience as well. Over
the past eighteen months our clients have
repeatedly seen compliance with the PoPI
Act as a support and not a hindrance to busi-
ness growth,” comments John Cato, founder
and CEO of IACT-Africa. “This has happened
by recognising how the PoPI Act philosophy
of respecting data privacy in South Africa, in
Time to rethink eWaste strategy
much the same way as in other parts of the
world, is opening the door to develop new
products and services,” adds Cato.
“These range from advanced document
and device shredding capabilities, which
more effectively destroy paper and elec-
tronic documents, to new online education
offerings focused on PoPI Act compliance,
to providing competitive advantage in dem-
onstrating market leadership compared to
one’s competitors in the areas of good gov-
ernance and legislative compliance.”
Xperien and IACT-Africa both recognise
that many organisations have until now
not thought seriously about the disposal
of digital devices which could contain per-
sonal information as defined in the PoPI Act.
“Something as innocent as the office copier,
fax or printer has a potential to blow a hole in
your compliance efforts unless properlyman-
aged,” says Dr Peter Tobin, IACT-Africa con-
sultant and CEO of PTC, IACT-Africa’s strate-
gic partner in the field of PoPI Act compliance.
“When talking to our clients about compli-
ance with the PoPI Act, we take a holistic
view. This includes looking at the lifecycle of
all their digital devices and the risks those
items represent in terms of non-compliance
if not handled correctly,” he adds. “As a re-
sult, we have partnered with Xperien for full
PoPI Act compliance in the area of eWaste
disposal and recycling,” says Cato.
For more information contact:
Xperien on +27 11 462 8806 or visit
etc...