As digital transformation accelerates, so does the complexity of risk. Cybersecurity threats, AI adoption, cloud reliance, third-party ecosystems, and data privacy expectations are reshaping how organisations operate and govern technology. King V — South Africa’s next evolution of corporate governance — solidifies this shift by placing technology, information, and emerging risk at the centre of ethical and responsible leadership.
Where previous governance codes treated technology as an enabler, King V elevates it to a strategic pillar, making IT governance inseparable from organisational performance, sustainability, and stakeholder trust.
In this post, we unpack the key IT governance principles, emerging risk expectations, and the Disclosure Framework requirements that organisations will need to report on.
Why King V Matters for Digital-Age Governance
King V builds on King IV but reflects the realities of today’s environment:
- Cyber incidents have become business-critical
- AI and automation create ethical, security, and fairness risks
- Cloud environments increase reliance on external providers
- Data is now one of the most valuable organisational assets
- Regulatory convergence (POPIA, PA/FSCA Joint Standards, ISO 27001, privacy laws, ESG reporting) requires integrated oversight
King V recognises that governance cannot be effective unless technology and information are governed strategically, ethically, and transparently.
Core IT Governance Principles in King V
1. Technology as a Strategic Asset
Boards must oversee how technology is selected, invested in, deployed, and retired.
This includes:
- Alignment to strategy
- Responsible innovation
- AI governance and algorithmic transparency
- Technology investment planning
- Sustainability and long-term system resilience
2. Information as a Corporate Asset
Data governance becomes a Board-level responsibility.
Organisations must demonstrate control over:
- Data quality and integrity
- Data privacy and POPIA compliance
- Ethical use of data (especially AI-driven analytics)
- Data lifecycle management
- Records retention and protection
3. Cybersecurity and Digital Resilience
King V requires an integrated cyber and technology risk management framework, including:
- Board oversight of cyber posture
- Incident response readiness
- Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
- Cloud and third-party cyber controls
- Secure-by-design system architecture
4. Emerging Technology & Ethical AI Governance
Boards must consider the risks and opportunities of:
- Artificial intelligence (bias, fairness, transparency)
- Automation and robotics
- Generative AI misuse
- Digital ethics and accountability
- Ethical data modelling and algorithmic decision-making
5. Third-Party & Outsourcing Ecosystems
IT governance extends beyond the organisation into the vendor landscape.
Boards must oversee:
- Cloud provider dependency
- System integrators
- IT outsourcing risks
- Cyber posture of third parties
- Compliance with the PA/FSCA Joint Standard on Technology Risk
King V and Emerging Risk Governance
Emerging risks are those that are:
- Rapidly evolving
- Technology-driven
- High impact but low predictability
- Not fully understood or historically measured
Under King V, organisations must identify, assess, and disclose emerging risks such as:
- AI decision-making risk
- Cloud concentration risk
- Algorithmic bias
- Large-scale cyber threats
- Big Data governance weaknesses
- Digital conduct risk
- Operational technology (OT) vulnerabilities
- ESG-linked technology risk (energy use, electronic waste, sustainability controls)
Organisations must demonstrate forward-looking governance — not just compliance with existing standards, but anticipation and preparedness.
What Organisations Must Report on in the King V Disclosure Framework
King V strengthens organisational transparency by requiring entities to disclose how they govern technology, information, and emerging risk.
Key disclosure areas include:
1. Technology Governance
Organisations must report on:
- How technology enables strategy
- Major systems, platforms, and digital capabilities
- Oversight structures (CIO, CTO, digital committees)
- Responsible innovation and ethical AI practices
- Technology investment decisions
2. Cybersecurity Posture
Boards must disclose:
- Cyber governance structure
- Identified cyber risks and mitigation measures
- Incident response capability and testing
- Cyber incidents (where appropriate)
- Third-party cyber security controls
- Cloud governance and resilience
3. Data and Information Governance
The Disclosure Framework requires organisations to outline:
- Data governance frameworks and stewardship roles
- Data quality, integrity, and classification
- POPIA compliance and privacy governance
- How data supports decision-making
- Records management and lifecycle controls
4. Third-Party and Outsourced IT Risk
Disclosure includes:
- Vendor governance and approval processes
- Due diligence and security assessments
- Cloud service provider oversight
- Outsourcing concentration risks
- Monitoring, assurance, and audit mechanisms
5. Emerging Risks and Forward-Looking Assessment
Boards must report how emerging risks are:
- Identified
- Assessed
- Prioritised
- Monitored
- Integrated into strategy
Disclosures must highlight:
- New/emerging digital risks
- AI, automation, and algorithmic risk
- Rapid regulatory changes
- Technology supply chain risks
- Scenario analysis and stress testing
6. Culture, Capability & Digital Ethics
Organisations must also disclose:
- Digital skills and capability development
- Ethical principles guiding technology adoption
- Tone from the top regarding digital risk and innovation
- How the organisation ensures responsible tech use
Why This Matters
King V signals a significant shift: technology and emerging risk are no longer operational issues — they are governance issues.
Boards must demonstrate:
- Competence in digital oversight
- Ethical leadership in tech adoption
- Transparency in disclosure
- Accountability for digital resilience
- Evidence-based governance across data, cyber, AI, and IT ecosystems
Organisations that prepare early will gain regulatory confidence, stakeholder trust, and a competitive advantage.
Partner with Navigate to Prepare for King V
Navigate helps organisations design, implement, and operationalise governance frameworks aligned to King V — including technology governance, cyber resilience, AI ethics, data governance, and emerging risk oversight.
Our services include:
✔ King V readiness assessments
✔ IT governance and digital risk frameworks
✔ Board & EXCO training on digital governance
✔ Emerging risk mapping and dashboards
✔ Cybersecurity and privacy alignment
✔ Technology and third-party governance uplift
✔ End-to-end governance project management
👉 Book a King V Governance Readiness Workshop
📩 info@navcompliance.co.za
🌐 https://www.navigatecompliance.io