Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams to conduct the first provincial launch of the cyber security awareness portal in Polokwane, Limpopo

International Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of Cybersecurity; and is globally recognised annually in October

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 31, 2017/APO Group/ -- 

The Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, will on the 3^rd November 2017, conduct the first provincial launch of the Cybersecurity Awareness Portal in Polokwane, Limpopo.

International Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of Cybersecurity; and is globally recognised annually in October. South Africa has adopted a National Cybersecurity Policy Framework which mandates the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) and the Cybersecurity Hub to develop and implement Cybersecurity Awareness programs.

These awareness programs are geared at educating citizens around threats and vulnerabilities that exist in cyberspace; and in so doing, instil a sense of confidence in the citizen’s ability to transact and interact in Cyberspace. To this end, the two stakeholders have initialised the Cybersecurity Awareness Portal, which is a repository for all Cybersecurity Awareness material and programs.

Recognising that Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, the department intends to partner with both public and private organisations to jointly run programs that will spread the cybersecurity messages to the people of our country.

Thus far the South African Banking and Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) has joined as the inaugural partner and it is envisaged that all organisations which provide awareness material will see the value of using the Portal as a platform to reach every citizen in every corner of the country.

Furthermore, in building an informed citizenry, the awareness programs will be produced in all languages. The department has kick-started various interventions to ensure that this is accomplished within the shortest possible time.

The Limpopo launch is therefore the first of the national roadshows which will be conducted across all provinces to inform and educate public representatives, private sector and communities about the Cybersecurity Awareness Portal. This will invariably ensure that citizens are capacitated to be able to deal with cyber threats, cybercrimes and cyberbullying; amongst many others.

The two-part program will comprise of a technical workshop and launch dinner. The purpose of the technical workshop which will be attended by provincial and local business, is to engage on the emerging policy and legislative framework; and to highlight the collective obligations of business in ensuring a safe cyberspace. The dinner aims to raise awareness and forge partnerships with the provincial leadership around the issues of cybersecurity and cybersecurity awareness programs. It will be attended by the provincial and local leaders, business and academia; led by Limpopo Finance MEC.

Members of the media are hereby invited to the provincial launch which will take place as follows:

Date: Friday, 3 November 2017

Time: 10h00 – 13h00 (Technical Workshop); 18h00 – 21h00 (Launch Dinner)

Venue: Protea Hotel Ranch Resort (25 km south of Polokwane on the N1, R101, Farm Hollands Drift)

Journalists will be afforded interviews and photo opportunities.

Media RSVPs: Thulani Ngubane on Tngubane@DTPS.gov.za or 060 986 7177.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of Government Communication and Information.