Question NW3498 to the Minister of Police

Reply:

The Republic of South Africa’s national security, economic prosperity and social wellbeing is critically dependent on Information Communication Technology (ICT) that is safe and secure. Big and small enterprises, governments, as well as private internet users are facing similar threats in cyberspace.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), recognises, as a high priority, the value of being able to detect, prevent, combat and investigate the pervasive cybercrime threat and in particular, cyber-attacks on critical information infrastructure.

The protection of critical infrastructure, such as electricity, transportation and banking against cyber threats is essential to our daily lives and the vulnerability to attack and exploitation of these systems is a real threat.

The SAPS therefore created capacities and capabilities, strengthened by continuous interaction and co-operation with intelligence agencies, International Law Enforcement Agencies and Prosecutorial Authorities, to provide a national, co-ordinated response to the most serious incidents of cybercrime occurrences.

The SAPS has well equipped cyber investigation support centres at national level, capable of providing digital forensic support in cybercrime and cyber-related investigations. These capabilities are also available in some provinces and the current focus is to ensure the roll-out to all provinces.

Furthermore, the SAPS and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), are engaged in a research project, to continuously enhance strategies and training frameworks to effectively detect, combat, prevent and investigate cybercrime.