More Cybersecurity for SA
The Deputy Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie will address the International Telecommunications Union Council on the theme ‘International Cooperation: The ITU Global Cybersecurity Agenda.’
“The advent and phenomenal growth of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and its related services have produced both unlimited opportunities and challenges in the form of Cybersecurity threats which are growing rapidly across the globe,” Deputy Minister Padayachie said.
He added that “Cyber attacks such as viruses, identity theft, spam, and child pornography are on the increase which threatens the security of the information and communication system.”
Highlighting the importance of Cybersecurity to the global economy for a safer and securer society, Deputy Minister Padayachie said that “Cybersecurity has become a high priority in a number of international forums.”
He added that the World Summit on Information Society’s (WSIS) Action Plan provides for ‘building confidence and security in the use of ICTs’. “Furthermore, organizations such as the ITU and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Attacks (IMPACT), amongst others, are working on measures to effectively deal with Cybercrime and attacks.”
Deputy Minister Padayachie also referred to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Ministerial meeting held in Korea in June 2008 which broadly agreed and reiterated, amongst other issues, the following:
–Reinforcing a culture of security which applies to information systems and networks, and their users;
–Promoting a global information society based on fast, secure and ubiquitous networks which connect billions of people, machines and objects; and
–Ensure the protection of personal information in the online environment.
Speaking on the measures in place and planned in South Africa to enhance Cybersecurity, Deputy Minister Padayachie said that “clearly an effective Cybersecurity Framework is not merely a matter of government or law enforcement practices, but has to be addressed through prevention supported by society.”
He added that “technology alone cannot ensure Cybersecurity, therefore, priority must be given to Cybersecurity planning and management throughout society.”
Referring to South Africa’s proactive cooperation and collaboration on Cybersecurity with other stakeholders at the regional, national and global level, Deputy Minister Padayachie said that the Republic is currently using the principles developed by the Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) in developing a National Cybersecurity Policy Framework.
These principles encompass legal measures, technical and procedural measures, organizational structures, capacity building, and international cooperation.
Deputy Minister Padayachie reiterated that “due to the borderless nature of cyberspace, the aforesaid Framework will provide more emphasis on the strengthening of collaboration and partnerships at the national level through the establishment of a Government-Industry Collaboration Forum.”
Highlighting the need for the strengthening of international collaboration and partnerships, Deputy Minister Padayachie said that “cyber threats or attacks do not recognize borders or laws, therefore, governments, business and civil society globally should work together to protect and secure their national cyber space and critical infrastructure. Governments throughout the world are not able to deal with the emerging threat on their own.”
Deputy Minister Padayachie further said that “given the fact that we are all interconnected and that our social and economic livelihood depends on how secure our critical information infrastructure is, there is a compelling need to ensure that there is no weak link in our Cybersecurity plans.”
He said that “he felt confident that the High Level Segment ITU Council will provide a suitable platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between stakeholders from government, private sector and civil society on these critical challenges on Cybersecurity with the strategic view to ensure the building of confidence and security in the use of ICTs.”
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