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Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.

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Main Author: Shingange, Jameson Given
Other Authors: Watson, Bruce
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2022
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access_status_str Open Access
author Shingange, Jameson Given
author2 Watson, Bruce
author_browse Shingange, Jameson Given
Watson, Bruce
author_facet Watson, Bruce
Shingange, Jameson Given
author_sort Shingange, Jameson Given
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/124854
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:44:15.221Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
publishDateSort 2022
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/124854 Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape Shingange, Jameson Given Watson, Bruce Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. Cyberspace -- Security measures -- South Africa Computer security -- South Africa Information technology -- Security measures -- South Africa UCTD Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2022. ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study focused on the challenges experienced in South Africa’s cybersecurity landscape, based on a constructivist paradigm, phenomenological research and qualitative research approach. A total of ten (10) respondents participated in the study. The ten (10) included eight (8) administrative officials from the Departments of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Justice, Communication and Police, and two high ranking individuals from the private sector organisations. “Due to the restrictions imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, participants were chosen using purposeful sampling and interviewed telephonically and electronically via Skype or WhatsApp. Cybersecurity is a critical issue for many states and organisations all over the world, and this includes South Africa. According to the 2018 National Cybersecurity Index, which ranks countries based on the cybersecurity capacities implemented by central governments, South Africa ranks 102 out of 160 countries, with an overall 27.27% (NCSI, 2018). The Global Cybersecurity Index ranks South Africa at number four, compared to other African countries (Global Cybersecurity Index, 2018). South Africa experienced an increase in cyberattacks on all fronts in 2019: banks, internet service providers, utilities, and e-commerce platforms were all targeted, as were consumers (Mkanyana, Brandley & Seedta, 2020). The volume of malicious cybercrime has increased by 33% over three months, from January 2020 to March 2020 (Delport, 2020). Spam and opportunistic cybercrime detections increased by 26.3%, impersonation fraud detections increased by 30.3%, malware detections increased by 35.16%, and URL click blocking increased by 59.8% (Delport, 2020). Cybercriminals know that our law enforcement agencies are ill-equipped to detect and combat cybercrime, South Africa has become a target (Rick Crouch & Associates, 2020). Data from the interviews were analysed utilising the thematic data analysis method. The data analysis revealed that lack of technology, the lack of cybersecurity knowledge and experts, and specific cybersecurity policies contribute to a low cybersecurity capability maturity in South Africa. The study also revealed that a lack of coordination between the public and private sector contributes to poor cybersecurity. Another revelation is that the state’s role in cybersecurity is to govern cybersecurity in South Africa by putting in place the necessary laws and standards, while the private sector’s role is to implement adequate cybersecurity measures to support the state and citizens in being cyber-secured. The study also revealed that when citizens are trained and aware of the dangers of cybercrimes and aware of the policies and programmes that exist, they can enhance the cybersecurity landscape of South Africa. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2022-03-11T07:48:48Z 2022-04-29T09:37:01Z 2022-03-11T07:48:48Z 2022-04-29T09:37:01Z 2022-04 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/124854 en_ZA Stellenbosch University xi, 107 pages : illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Cyberspace -- Security measures -- South Africa
Computer security -- South Africa
Information technology -- Security measures -- South Africa
UCTD
Shingange, Jameson Given
Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title_full Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title_fullStr Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title_full_unstemmed Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title_short Problematizing the South African cybersecurity policy landscape
title_sort problematizing the south african cybersecurity policy landscape
topic Cyberspace -- Security measures -- South Africa
Computer security -- South Africa
Information technology -- Security measures -- South Africa
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/124854
work_keys_str_mv AT shingangejamesongiven problematizingthesouthafricancybersecuritypolicylandscape