Question NW3496 to the Minister of Science and Technology
15 November 2017 - NW3496
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
(1)What is the total amount of her department's budget that was spent on research and development into cybersecurity measures in the 2016-17 financial year?
Reply:
(1) In 2016/17 there were 2 multi-year projects that were being funded and are in the cyber/information security space.
a) The development of a prototype for the Biometric Recognition of Minors. Its total budget over 2015/16 - 2017/18 is R 14 977 561, of which R 8 648 983 was for 2016/17. In its conceptualisation the project received endorsement from the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA), and is being implemented by the CSIR.
b) The implementation of the Network Emulating and Simulation Laboratory (NESL). Its total budget over 2014/15-2016/17 was R7 887 000. of which R1 049 500 was for 2016/17. The project was funded through the High-end Infrastructure grant. The NESL is a platform that aims to provide cybersecurity researchers with the ability to perform network bandwidth modelling, cybersecurity training, device security research and advanced analytics to study cyber risk and to deliver effective and practical security solutions. It is implemented by CSIR.
Therefore, the total investment for investment for 2016/17 is R9 698 483.