Why Cybersecurity & Safe AI Training is Crucial for Zimbabwe Board Induction

The beginning of the year traditionally marks a period of change in corporate governance, as government entities, listed companies and private organisations appoint new board members. These appointments are often accompanied by induction programmes covering fiduciary duties, strategy, finance and regulatory compliance. However, one critical area, is still too often treated as optional rather than essential is cybersecurity, data protection and the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI). In today’s digital economy, board members are no longer insulated from technology risks. Cyberattacks, data breaches and misuse of AI systems now pose direct financial, legal and reputational threats to organisations. Regulators, investors and the public increasingly expect boards to demonstrate not only oversight, but also basic competence and awareness in these areas. Cybersecurity is no longer an ICT issue alone, it is a governance and risk issue. A single ransomware attack or systems breach can cripple operations, expose sensitive customer data and result in severe regulatory penalties. Similarly, data protection failures can lead to litigation, loss of public trust and sanctions under local and international data protection frameworks. Artificial intelligence presents both opportunity and risk. While AI can improve efficiency and decision-making, its unsafe or unregulated use can result in biased outcomes, privacy violations, intellectual property disputes and strategic errors. Board members must therefore understand where AI is being used within their organisations, how decisions are made and what safeguards are in place. As part of effective induction, board members should receive structured training that explains their oversight responsibilities, emerging cyber threats, data protection obligations and the ethical, legal and operational risks associated with AI. This is not about turning board members into technologists, but about ensuring they can ask the right questions, interpret risks correctly and make informed decisions. At a time when Zimbabwe is positioning itself as an investment destination and embracing digital transformation, strong governance is essential. Incorporating cybersecurity, data protection and safe AI training into board induction processes is a practical and necessary step towards protecting institutions, investors and the broader economy. As boards are constituted at the start of the year, organisations would do well to recognise that digital risk awareness is now a core boardroom competency, not a technical afterthought. For more details please whatsApp:+263772278161