Is South Africa geared up for new cyberspace challenges?

This seminar asked if South Africa is balancing the opportunities and threats that cyberspace presents.

Date: 2015-01-26

Time: 10:00 to 12:00

Venue: Conference room , ISS Pretoria , Block C , Brooklyn Court , 361 Veale Street , map

Cyberspace presents important opportunities and challenges for governance. States, the private sector and civil society all have a stake in this dynamic environment.

While there is consensus about the enormous potential for advancing development, the control of cyberspace and management of crime and terrorism is still being debated.

Is South Africa balancing the opportunities and threats that cyberspace presents?

How would the police and corporates here respond to incidents like the recent massive attack on Sony Pictures or the hacking of the Pentagon’s social media accounts?

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in collaboration with the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria hosted Dr Uri Rosenthal, former Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy for the 4th Global Conference on Cyberspace in April 2015 to discuss global concerns and key issues for Africa and South Africa. The impact for South Africa and its ability to respond to cyber threats was discussed by cyberspace expert Prof Basie von Solms and Brigadier Piet Pieterse from the South African Police Service’s specialised investigation unit, the Hawks.

In his opening remarks, Robert-Jan Siegert, Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands Embassy stressed the importance of discussing issues relating to cyberspace and in that regard mentioned the fruitful relationship between the Netherlands and the ISS. The Netherlands is hosting this year’s Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS), which is held biennially and comprises members of governments, civil society and the private sector. Over 1 000 participants are expected at the 2015 event in The Hague.

As special envoy to the GCCS, Rosenthal spoke on developments in cyberspace, emphasising that important challenges await states and civil society, and that cyberspace extends beyond the paradigm of just security. He explained that the Internet is ‘just as strong as its weakest link’ and that as truly a global phenomena, it involves both the developed and developing world. The Internet has the potential for enormous good, as massive technology-based projects in the fields of medicine and education show. But there are potential downsides and risks that require attention. He stressed the importance of capacity building to mitigate these risks.

Pieterse, who heads the electronic crime unit at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations reiterated the need for capacity building. He outlined the challenges for law enforcement in South Africa and explained that cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated transnational crime phenomenon. He said a national strategy to combat cybercrime in all its forms is needed and will require many state institutions to work international law enforcement bodies.

Von Solms is a research Professor in the Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Johannesburg. He also stressed the need for capacity building in South Africa’s cybersecurity sector and highlighted three priority areas: securing small businesses; developing cyber expertise; and oversight of cybersecurity at the highest level.

A new ISS policy brief that assesses the African Union’s response to cybercrime was distributed at the seminar.