The Ministerial conference would address the role of the Internet in the twenty-first century as a critical infrastructure on which the world depends to support economic growth, innovation and social development and more specifically would focus on security issues.

The OECD embarked on a strategy called "enhanced engagement" and South Africa was one of five countries identified to be involved in this enhanced engagement.

The Internet has created borderless societies worldwide changing how information is shared, said the Department of Communications in a statement on Tuesday. Matsepe-Casaburri added that there was a need to protect and empower consumers online by ensuring secured online transactions.

In South Africa, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act provided for the appointment of cyber inspectors, but "there is a need for building a culture of security in the face of rapid technological and socioeconomic changes and illiteracy levels particularly in developing countries is urgent," she added.

South Africa was granted official observer status to the Information Computer and Communications Policy (ICCP) committee of the OECD in 2007 and was the first and only African country to be granted such status.

At international level, initiatives such as the ITU's High Level Expert Group aimed to develop strategies and guidance to countries in dealing with cybercrime. International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Terrorism would contribute to forging partnerships and collaborations geared towards combating cyber crime, thus building confidence in the use of Internet.

The outcomes would assist countries to draft their legislative framework and to develop strategies to address the challenges of cyber threats and cybercrime.

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