Cyber, fraud and AI risks are converging, creating new challenges for companies in South Africa

Organisations increasingly require forensic investigations that bridge digital, operational and governance risks.

Companies in South Africa are facing an increasingly complex risk environment as cyber threats, fraud, governance failures, business interruption and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) become more interconnected, according to forensic investigations specialist RiXForensica.

The trend comes as cyber incidents are now ranked among the most significant business risks globally and in South Africa. The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 identifies cyber incidents as the top business risk facing organisations, while business interruption and AI-related risks are also rising rapidly on executive agendas. At the same time, governance and corruption concerns remain a challenge, with South Africa scoring 41 out of 100 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

Founded in 2020, RiXForensica was established to address the growing need for independent, specialist forensic investigations capable of delivering evidence-based insights in response to increasingly sophisticated fraud, corruption, cyber and operational risks.

According to RiXForensica Director Riaan van Jaarsveld, organisations are no longer dealing with risks in isolation.

"Businesses are navigating a far more interconnected risk landscape than they were just a few years ago. What we are increasingly seeing is a convergence of cyber incidents, fraud, governance failures, operational disruptions and emerging technologies such as AI. These events often overlap, making investigations more complex and requiring a broader range of skills and expertise."

He says that while cyber risk remains a major concern, organisations are also grappling with the ripple effects that follow an incident.

"A cyber breach may expose procurement fraud, weak internal controls or governance failures. Likewise, traditional risks such as fire losses, asset theft or insurance claims increasingly require digital evidence, data analytics and forensic investigation techniques to establish root causes and determine accountability. Organisations need investigative partners that can respond across both physical and digital environments."

Research by PwC and EY shows that organisations across Africa are becoming increasingly concerned about cyber resilience, third-party risk and the growing impact of AI-driven threats. Businesses are also facing heightened exposure through interconnected supply chains, cloud environments and digital ecosystems, where a single incident can have widespread operational consequences.

RiXForensica works across a range of sectors including financial services, insurance, legal, retail, mining, logistics, telecommunications, construction, healthcare, the public sector and other industries.

Director and Head of Fire Forensic, Gordon Maeta, says the growing complexity of business risks is driving demand for specialised investigations that combine technical expertise with industry knowledge.

"The nature of investigations has changed significantly. Clients are increasingly seeking evidence-based findings that stand up to regulatory, legal and insurance scrutiny while also delivering practical recommendations that strengthen risk management and organisational resilience."

He adds that sector-specific expertise is becoming increasingly important as organisations face unique operational challenges.

"Whether investigating a fire loss, a fraud allegation, a claims dispute or a cyber-related incident, it is critical to understand the operating environment in which that event occurred. We combine forensic methodology with operational understanding to ensure that our findings are practical, defensible and aligned with real business conditions."

The company has also seen growing demand for investigative services across Southern Africa, resulting in the launch of its Namibian office in April 2026. The expansion supports organisations seeking specialised forensic investigation capabilities as risk environments become increasingly complex and cross-border in nature.

Demand for integrated forensic investigation
As organisations continue their digital transformation journeys and adopt emerging technologies, RiXForensica believes the demand for integrated forensic investigation capabilities will continue to grow.

"The future of investigations lies in bringing together forensic expertise, technology, intelligence and deep sector knowledge," says van Jaarsveld. "As risks become more interconnected, organisations will increasingly require investigators who can identify not only what happened, but why it happened and how similar events can be prevented in the future."

RiXForensica's long-term vision is to become a leading specialist forensic investigations firm across Africa, supporting organisations through innovation, technology integration and sector-specific expertise.