Vodacom Business experts Sannesh Beharie and Lukhanyo Zahela discuss cybersecurity for SMEs

S2, E8

In this What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou interview, Sannesh Beharie and Lukhanyo Zahela discusses the importance of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Beharie is the Managing Executive for SME and Mobile Products at Vodacom Business. He has over 17 years of experience in fixed and mobile telecoms, having worked at South Africa’s most prominent industry players and held executive roles in Sales, Business Development and Product Development. Zahela currently serves as the Acting Executive Head of Department for Security at Vodacom Business. He is an adept leader in security technology with an unwavering passion for innovation and profitable growth within the sector. In this What’s Next interview, Beharie and Zahela discuss the reasons that SMEs often overlook cybersecurity. Beharie explains that many SMEs have two major misconceptions about cybersecurity — that they’re too small to be targeted, and that cybersecurity is too expensive. He also unpacks the major cybersecurity threats the SMEs face in 2025 — noting that many of these are becoming more sophisticated. Zahela then discusses the benefits of investing in a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for SMEs. He explains how Vodacom Business can help SMEs enhance their cybersecurity posture, as well as how SMEs can enjoy secure network access for hybrid working set-ups through Vodacom Business. Beharie then explains how SMEs can balance the costs of cybersecurity with the importance of it to their business. Both experts conclude the interview by providing their most impactful advice for SMEs relating to cybersecurity.

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