The Gauteng Department of e-Government requires R700 million to upgrade the province’s internet infrastructure, but currently lacks the necessary funds, according to the DA. This leaves the government’s systems vulnerable to data breaches and hacking, putting service delivery to residents at risk.
During a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on e-Government to the Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Rivonia, it was revealed that cybersecurity remains a pressing concern. Although there have been hacking attempts, no breaches have occurred so far.
The existing security strategy, developed for the 2020/2025 period, should be updated annually to keep pace with technological advancements, but financial constraints have prevented this. With the Auditor General highlighting weaknesses in the network penetration tests, it is clear that the department needs proper funding to strengthen its cybersecurity efforts.
“As we move to an increasingly more digitised environment where government services are accessed and people’s private information is stored, it is essential that our network is upgraded urgently and that our security strategy is updated annually,” says Michael Waters MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for e-Government.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands that this department receive adequate funding to upgrade its IT security systems.
“A DA government would ensure that all Information Technology (IT) security protocols are reviewed every six months and, where needed, the current systems are in place to upgrade the security protocols.”
