As the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Western Cape Government (WCG), Deidre Marais, leads the strategic direction and execution of the cybersecurity program. With over 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, Deidre is dedicated to safeguarding the digital assets and building trust with the citizens of the Western Cape whilst ensuring compliance with government regulations.
Her expertise spans across security risk management, threats and incident response, and the implementation of robust security frameworks. She is instrumental in developing and leading security initiatives that protect against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
Being recognized for her thought leader in the cybersecurity community is an honor for her. In addition to her professional achievements, Deidre is passionate about mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals so that they can position themselves for a career in cybersecurity.