Mark Heyink is an Information Attorney and an Information Security Consultant. He is also a director of Information Governance (Pty) Limited. His practice and consultancy are devoted to the specialised study and advice on good practices relating to electronic information, information security, information governance, privacy, and existing and emerging laws that govern information.
Mark Heyink consults and advises on the law relating to ICT generally, and practices information governance, management and security. He has extensive experience advising on the implementation of Data Protection initiatives, their ongoing management, and the training of boards, management, and users in their respective information security and protection of personal information responsibilities.
Mark also has extensive experience in cybersecurity and the underlying cybersecurity frameworks. He has advised many companies in their transition from physical to electronic processing of information, the risks of doing so and cybersecurity controls that may be implemented to mitigate the risk. Recently, he has advised financial institutions on the measures necessary to comply with the joint standards published by the FSCA and PA (both joint standards 1 and 2) and presented on them.
Mark continues to have a remarkable legal career during which he has added value to multiple organisation through a number of roles.
Mark has held several public appointments and made a significant contribution to the development of South African cyberlaw.
- Mark was appointed to the South African Law Reform Commission’s project committee that investigated data protection for South Africa and was a co-drafter of the Protection of Personal Information Act. He advised the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Justice in finalising the bill prior to its enactment as POPIA.
- He also led the teams considering public comment on the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECT Act or ECTA) and presented this comment to Parliament on behalf of businesses represented by KPMG in 2002.
- He has served as a member of the National Cybersecurity Advisory Committee.
- He was invited to serve on an “expert group” convened by the Deputy Minister of Justice to review public comment, provide further comment and assist in the redrafting of certain of its provisions of the Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Bill, which was enacted at the Cybercrimes Act.
Mark is a thought leader and often shares his insights in Michalsons events. He is a brilliant public speaker.