The South African Intelligence department has identified cyber threat as a clear and threatening danger for the country, reports Intelligence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
She also expressed concern about the proliferation of private intelligence companies or risk management consultants which could be engaged in activities which were “a blatant infringement of the constitutional rights of the citizens” of South Africa.
Sisulu promised that laws would be tightened to prevent this “in a clear and precise manner”.
Speaking in her budget vote in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said the world was increasingly dependent on computer networks and this made for “increasingly vulnerable governments unless we build in as we grow the necessary infrastructure to protect our systems against any possible cyber threat”.
Sisulu said the Electronic Communications Security (Pty) Ltd company was charged with the responsibility to develop “cutting edge electronic communications technology to secure our communication”.
It would conduct security audits for government departments which would ensure that e-commerce in South Africa could thrive without threats from cyber crime.
The minister added that the Office of Interception Centres would be established “to uproot cyber criminals who seek refuge through the use of sophisticated encryption devices”.
“I must make it clear that these centres will be solely targeted at those who seek to undermine our national security, commit crimes and steal and sell strategic information belonging to the country.”
She noted that authorised groups could intercept communications “for the sole purposes of combating crime and in the provision of emergency services”.
Private companies involved in intelligence activities like private investigation, manufacturing, possession and selling interception devices must register with the Security Industry Regulatory Board which falls under the political supervision of the Minister of Safety and Security.
She noted that the new Interception Act of 2002 prohibited the manufacturing, possession, selling and use of interception devices. – I-Net Bridge