A new industry body, comprising cybersecurity professionals from the public and private sectors and academia, has been established to contribute towards the creation of a safer digital environment.

The Cybersecurity Digital Alliance will provide policy advisory and support, mentorship, education and best practice sharing and research relating to cybersecurity in South Africa.

“Addressing cybersecurity in a hyperconnected digital world requires collective commitment and action and the Cybersecurity Digital Alliance was born from the recognition that we can achieve more if we use a pool of talent and shared experiences to enable a more cybersecure South Africa,” says Cybersecurity Digital Alliance chairperson and Vodacom cybersecurity managing executive Kerissa Varma.

As the cyber-risk landscape continues to rapidly evolve, with wider and deeper security threats emerging, the definition and scope of cybersecurity continues to expand.

“Research widely shows that cybercrime has become more prevalent in South Africa since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the widespread move to working, learning and transacting online,” says Department of Public Service and Administration deputy director-general and Cybersecurity Digital Alliance founding member Mandla Ngcobo, citing 577 malware attacks an hour in South Africa, which is only one of a myriad of emerging threats, including ransomware, phishing and denial-of-service attacks.

“There can be no doubt then that cybersecurity truly sits at the forefront of every organisation and industry in today’s world.”

In light of the increasing threats, cybersecurity leaders need to bring their skills and expertise together to assist with the complex modern digital environment and ensure the safety of public- and private-sector organisations, as well as South African citizens.

The Cybersecurity Digital Alliance aims to support policy interventions and innovation around relevant national guidelines, regulations, strategies, legislation and laws surrounding technology use; facilitate best practice sharing from across different backgrounds, skills and specialisations; and educate and drive research into developing areas, while providing mentorship to members.

This support and access to critical education and mentorship is central to the ability to drive and adapt policies and cybersecurity controls where it is needed most.

“Being a member, and able to both contribute to and benefit from collaboration and knowledge sharing in cybersecurity education, research and policy support, is essential to meeting the goal of actively shaping the cybersecurity space in South Africa,” adds Microsoft South Africa corporate, external and legal affairs executive director Siya Madyibi.

“Proactive support and partnerships will ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technology capabilities and the opportunities they present in allowing people to interact, engage, transact, work and learn, and in driving economic growth and prosperity for South Africa as a whole.”