In recent years, many countries have realized that a comprehensive and effective cybersecurity strategy is crucial to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure, sectors, and citizens, as cyber threats have increased. As in several other countries, the risk factors for cyberattacks are heightened in South Africa, including data breaches, transformational ransomware, and identity theft. In coping with these threats, South Africa can draw comprehensively from Australia.
Australia’s Excelling Cybersecurity Strategy
Australia is one of the countries with the most comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place. Such a move is contained in the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy, whereby Australia set out to reinforce its practices surrounding practices in the government, the industry and individuals. There are four key pillars which include:
- Establishment of Government responsibility regarding the investment and policymaking on Cyber Security
- Minimizing the Silos between the private sector and the public sector
- Creation of the cybersecurity human capital
- Implementation of Cybersecurity Research and Development
- Australia’s strategically comprehensive posture gives South Africa lots of practices to borrow.
Investments in Cyber Security By The Government
The Australian government has made ample commitments to improving security infrastructure. By providing AU$ 1.6 billion over ten years, Australia is securing critical infrastructure while encouraging small businesses and the general public.
Government departments should emulate the same approach as it pertains to increasing government-led funding for fighting cybercrime, which is management. In both the public and private sectors, investing more finances in upgrading safety measures will raise the level of the country’s cyber defence. Also, governmental support can assist in utilizing higher cutting-edge systems for the protection of firms, hence decreasing their degree of attack susceptibility.
Public-Private Partnerships
In Australia, the engineering of strong government-private partnerships has also been viewed as mandatory in abating cyber threats. Implementing public policies such as the JCSCs guarantees information flow between the private sector and the government, hence making cyber security monitoring active and efficient.
For such legal agreements to be in place, South Africa would also encourage pp’s cooperation. South African businesses and the government would offer a shared platform for best practices, intelligence on threats, and measures that can perhaps be taken to better the issue of cybersecurity. This includes addressing the threat of Adaptive Thieves by supporting national strategies in the fight against cyber threats.
Building Cybersecurity Talent
The shortage of skilled humans is among the worst hurdles to any challenge to security systems. Cybersecurity education and training feature highly in Australia’s strategy, with regards to the Australian Cyber Security Strategy 2020, with attempts like offering scholarships, apprenticeships, and certification courses.
The government of South Africa should prioritize developing a cybersecurity workforce. This can be achieved by widening the scope of educational institutions that provide cybersecurity training and engaging companies to provide short-term field training. Building a well-resourced, skilled workforce will enable the nation to react adequately to future cyber attacks.
Fostering Cybersecurity Business Solutions
Auburn also has paid great attention to the other side of the mirror, where the focus is on the innovative aspects of the cybersecurity industry, and urges businesses to find new ways of countering cybercriminal activities.
SOUTH AFRICA is called upon to seize the opportunity of building a culture of cybersecurity by creating policies to urge the private sector to engage in R&D. Thus, high-end security systems may emerge, which would have great growth potential in overseas and local markets.
Conclusion
Given that the number of cyber threats will continue increasing, South Africa must develop a well-considered cybersecurity strategy to defend against threats to its electronic systems. To replicate Australia’s strategy of enhancing the nation’s security and safeguarding the economy, Mzansi should prioritize primarily government-oriented strategies, bilateral collaboration, human capital strategies, and innovation development.
