The Democratic Alliance (DA) has published proposed amendments to the Constitution that would allow for the creation of a Cyber Commissioner in South Africa.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s main opposition party, has tabled a Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament to establish a new office of the cyber commissioner as a Chapter nine institution alongside others such as the public protector, SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), auditor-general and the Electoral Commission. According to reports, the proposed bill aims to address the inadequate protection of individuals’ personal information by state departments and enhance cyber security capabilities in the public sector. The DA argues that existing state-owned entities responsible for addressing cybercrime are underfunded and lack the necessary expertise to effectively carry out their functions.
According to Glynnis Breytenbach, a representative of the DA, the current state of cyber security in South Africa demands urgent attention. State departments are increasingly falling victim to hacking, ransomware attacks, and data leaks due to their significant under-resourcing and lack of preparedness. The alarming rise in cyber threats necessitates a dedicated office that can provide expert advice, monitor cyber activities, and establish robust security measures.
Breytenbach emphasizes that the adoption of the Constitution did not anticipate the pervasive impact of cyber security and cyber threats in today’s digital landscape. The proposed creation of a cyber commissioner’s role would bridge this gap and ensure that cyber security is prioritized and adequately addressed in the public sector.
The DA envisions the cyber commissioner as an independent authority directly accountable to Parliament. This office would oversee and have the power to advise on all cyber activities, both domestically and internationally, within state departments. The cyber commissioner’s responsibilities would extend to proactively identifying and mitigating cyber threats while also reacting promptly to any security breaches.
The proposed cyber commissioner would act as a central authority, consolidating efforts to combat cybercrime and improve data protection. By establishing a cyber security framework, the cyber commissioner could guide and monitor state departments, ensuring that they are adequately equipped and prepared to address cyber threats effectively.
Sources: Business Day, BNN
