Cyber Security in ITIL® 4 Foundation: A Practical Guide for South African Organisations

Cyber security is no longer just an “IT problem.” In South Africa, it has become a business survival issue. From banks in Johannesburg, retailers in Cape Town, mining companies in Rustenburg, to public services in Pretoria and Durban, organisations rely heavily on digital platforms like SAP to run their daily operations.

ITIL® 4 Foundation helps organisations manage IT services in a structured and value-driven way—and cyber security is a core part of that structure.

What Is Cyber Security in ITIL® 4?

Cyber security in ITIL® 4 is about protecting services, systems, and data while still allowing the business to operate smoothly and efficiently. ITIL does not treat security as a separate activity. Instead, it is embedded into every service and process.

Key Focus Areas in ITIL® 4 Cyber Security

In ITIL 4 Foundation, cyber security focuses on:

• Protecting confidential data (employee, customer, payroll)
  
  
• Ensuring system availability (SAP systems must stay online)
  
  
• Maintaining data integrity (preventing unauthorised changes)
  
  

For SAP-driven organisations in South Africa, this means keeping HR, Finance, Payroll, and Supply Chain systems secure at all times—without disrupting daily business activities.

Why Cyber Security Matters More Than Ever in South Africa

South Africa has experienced a steady rise in cyber incidents in recent years. Industry reports show that cyber attacks in Africa have increased by more than 20% year-on-year, with South Africa being one of the most targeted countries on the continent.

Common Cyber Risks Faced by Local Organisations

Some of the most common threats include:

• Phishing attacks targeting employees
  
  
• Ransomware attacks on SAP servers
  
  
• Payroll fraud through unauthorised SAP access
  
  
• Data leaks involving employee and customer records
  
  

For example, if an SAP payroll system in Sandton or Midrand goes down for even 2–3 days, employees may not get paid on time. This can damage employee trust, impact morale, and even lead to legal or compliance issues.

ITIL® 4 helps organisations reduce these risks by embedding cyber security into everyday service management.

ITIL® 4 Guiding Principles and Cyber Security

One major advantage of ITIL® 4 is its guiding principles, which strongly support an effective cyber security programme.

Focus on Value

Cyber security must protect what truly matters to the business.

In SAP environments, this includes:

• Employee payroll information
  
  
• Financial transactions
  
  
• Vendor and customer data
  
  

Security controls should enable business objectives, not slow down operations or create unnecessary complexity.

Think and Work Holistically

Security is not only the responsibility of IT teams.

In ITIL 4:

• HR teams in Zambia must follow strict access rules
  
  
• Finance teams in Zimbabwe must protect financial reports
  
  
• SAP users across all branches must follow security policies
  
  

Everyone in the organisation plays a role in cyber security.

Optimise and Automate

ITIL encourages automation wherever possible.

For SAP systems, this includes:

• Automated user access reviews
  
  
• Role-based authorisations
  
  
• Continuous security monitoring tools
  
  

Automation reduces manual errors, which are responsible for nearly 60% of security incidents.

Cyber Security Across the ITIL® 4 Service Value Chain

ITIL® 4 introduces the Service Value Chain, and cyber security applies at every stage.

Plan

Security polocoes, risk assessments, and compliance requirments are defines here.

Example:Planning SAP security controls to meet POPIA requirments in South Africa

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 Design & Transition

Security is built into SAP services before they go live.
Example: Secure configuration of SAP S/4HANA during implementation projects in Cape Town.

Obtain / Build

Secure software, patches, and tools are selected. ITIL supports SAP security by:

• Maintaining least-privilege access
  
  
• Promoting regular audits and reviews
  
  

Deliver & Support

This is where daily SAP operations are supported securely.
Example: Improving access controls after a payroll-related security issue.

Role of ITIL® 4 Practices in Cyber Security

ITIL® 4 Foundation introduces several management practices that directly support cyber security.

Information Security Management

This practice ensures:

• Well-defined security policies
  
  
• Regular risk assessments
  
  
• Compliance with regulations such as POPIA

Incident Management

When a cyber incident occurs, speed is critical.
Example: If SAP access is compromised in ITIL helps teams respond quickly to limit damage and restore services.

Change Enablement

Uncontrolled changes can create security gaps. ITIL ensures SAP changes are:

• Reviewed
  
  
• Approved
  
  
• Properly tested
  
  

Cyber Security and SAP: A Strong Connection

SAP systems form the backbone of many South African organisations. ITIL® 4 helps secure SAP by:

• Defining clear roles and responsibilities
  
  
• Ensuring least-privilege access
  
  
• Supporting routine audits and reviews
  
  

For SAP HR and Payroll systems, this means:

• Only authorised users can access salary data
  
  
• Sensitive employee information remains protected
  
  
• Systems stay available during critical business periods
  
  

A secure SAP system builds employee trust and keeps organisations compliant.

Why ITIL® 4 Foundation Is Important for Professionals

For IT and SAP professionals in South Africa, ITIL® 4 Foundation offers:

1. Practical cyber security knowledge
   
   
2. Better alignment between IT and business goals
   
   
3. Stronger career opportunities in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town
4. Skills that are relevant across industries
   
   

Today, many organisations expect professionals to understand both service management and cyber security.

Final Thoughts

Cyber security in ITIL® 4 Foundation is not about complex technical tools. It is about smart service management, shared responsibility, and protecting what matters most.

For South African organisations using SAP, ITIL® 4 provides a clear and practical framework to manage cyber risks, support business growth, and build trust in digital services.

In a world where cyber threats continue to grow, ITIL® 4 helps businesses across Africa stay secure, resilient, and ready for the future.

‍Take the Next Step in Your Career

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Prompt Edify provides corporate training and instructor-led learning programs across South Africa and the wider African region. Our training aligned with both ITIL and SAP systems.

 Our training is designed to address real business challenges, with practical examples that professionals can apply immediately at work.

 We focus on building skills that improve system stability, service quality, and overall business performance.

To strengthen your SAP and IT service management capabilities, visit our website or contact Prompt edify today to learn more about our Instructor Led ITIL Foundation training for South African organisations.

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If you have any questions feel free to contact us.

You can directly email to akansha.thorat@promptedify.com

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Akanksha Thorat ( HR Career Advisor )

PROMPT EDIFY AFRICA (PTY)LTD  (ISO 9001:2015 Certified)

@18, Gustav Preller Street, Midrand Johannesburg, South Africa. 

           +27-110200892

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