Pioneering Salt’s cybersecurity frontier

Sonja Coetzer is at the forefront of Namibia’s leading computer security service provider. As the managing director of Salt Essential IT, she has an unwavering passion for IT, Microsoft in particular. Having been in the industry for close to three decades, Coetzer is dedicated to applying IT to her everyday life and customers’ environment.

“My first exposure to the love of my life was 28 years ago when I met Windows 3.1. That’s when I realised the infinite power of ICT products and solutions to transform lives, both for the better and, like any other marriage, sometimes for the worse.”



Climbing the ranks

Coetzer joined Salt in 2018 as a solutions advocate. She has since climbed the corporate ladder to chief operations manager and now her current role as managing director. “I am a sales specialist by nature. Working with such a brilliant, forward-thinking team that embraces a cloud-first model, delivering smart yet effective solutions to our clients, has truly been an honour.”

She firmly believes passion for one's work is essential, but love for the company one serves is paramount. Each day at Salt presents an opportunity to align personal growth with the company’s goals and objectives, she said. Seizing these, she showed management, directors and shareholders her value contribution, which led to opportunities to climb the corporate ladder.



Advancements and cybersecurity

Salt Essential has had multiple advancements in various fields. Its software initiatives like its website’s Azure cognitive artificial intelligence (AI) bot, WhatsApp’s cybersecurity awareness iSecureBot with the information ministry, and the Apprada rating app underscore its commitment to pushing boundaries. What excites the Coetzer the most is the advancement in the educational and medical industries. “These advancements enable access to basic human rights. While AI plays an emerging role, it's crucial to remember that it's a tool that necessitates human oversight and ethical application,” she said.

On Salt’s involvement in cybersecurity training, she indicated that Namibia is more than ready to lead in cyber- and technology security. However, the lack of discussion at boardroom level leaves businesses vulnerable. “They need to understand that cyber- and technology security is beyond basic anti-virus and malware protection. We also cater for individual user vulnerabilities as our session with the ministry's cybersecurity awareness campaign brings cybersecurity to every Namibian on every device they use,” she said.



Empowerment

Throughout Coetzer’s career, clear goals and intentional actions towards achieving them have been her compass, with mentors and role models playing pivotal roles. She envisions a future with technological empowerment for all. “As it integrates further into our lives, we ought to harness it for societal development, addressing issues like unemployment and poverty. Our focused department on empowerment contributes to this cause. We want to elevate people’s lives, foster growth and create a better world for all.”

Salt's managing director's advice to budding tech-savvies is this: “Set your goals and actively work towards achieving them. The world and the people within it will not do this on your behalf. Work hard, work smart, celebrate every achievement and win, no matter how small you think it is".



Five fun facts:

a. I love camping! (Yes, that means packing my house in my trailer to spend time away from the ‘luxuries’ of home.)

b. I love doodling with charcoal and doing amateur art.

c. I love writing, especially free verse poems.

d. I love dancing alone in my living room to loud indie music.

e. I love being a grandmother.