By Phenyo Selinda
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has announced that the State Security Agency is intensifying efforts to counter cyber security threats in South Africa. This announcement was made during the Budget Vote presentation in Parliament on Monday.
Evolving Threat Landscape
Minister Ntshavheni highlighted that the nature of threats is continually evolving, with criminals employing “sophisticated technologies and strategies that require agility and proactive response”. She stressed the necessity of specialised skills and coordination with various stakeholders both within and outside of government.
“Honourable members are surely aware and concerned about the exponential increase in attacks on state ICT infrastructure, which pose a threat not only to individual targets but also to the economic value chain of the services these entities provide,” Ntshavheni noted.
Strengthening Cyber Security
To bolster cyber security, the State Security Agency is actively building and enhancing its capabilities to proactively combat emerging cyber threats and potential attacks. Ntshavheni mentioned the acceleration of the implementation of the National Cyber Security Framework, which includes developing a comprehensive cyber security legislative framework and establishing an integrated cyber capability and capacity.
“With the passing of the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill and the necessary organisational reconfiguration, we will also undertake work to recalibrate and capacitate the National Communications Centre to be more responsive to cyber security threats,” she explained.
Legislative Advancements
Ntshavheni announced that before the end of this financial year, the legislative process to introduce the Cyber Security Bill to Parliament will commence. This bill is expected to further fortify the country’s legal framework against cyber threats.
Building Partnerships and Skills
The Minister also underscored the importance of partnerships, both international and domestic, in sharpening skills within the intelligence environment. The Intelligence Academy is revising its curriculum to focus on relevant skills for the current intelligence landscape. These efforts include partnerships with reputable academic institutions to ensure the academy is SAQA accredited, promoting the portability of skills.
“The Intelligence Academy is exploring possibilities of establishing itself as a data institute that will not only serve the intelligence community but also broader society. Data is not only the new gold but an essential part of driving development and decision making,” Ntshavheni stated.
Strategic Investments
Investments in collaborations for technology and data sharing with global and local institutions are seen as both a strategic imperative and a transformative opportunity. Such collaborations can empower the State Security Agency to leverage global expertise and harness the power of technology and data to address local challenges.
“In this regard, investments in collaborations for technology and data sharing with both global and local institutions transcend a strategic imperative. It is a transformative opportunity which can empower the organisation to leverage global expertise, harness the power of technology and data to address local challenges,” she said.
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