The status of information security in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The business and social environments are increasingly reliant on the informationnetwork, and the quality and integrity of the information to effectively conducttransactions, and survive in the new economy. These information networks facilitatecommunication and transactions between customers, suppliers, partners, andemployees. Emerging technologies further encourage the extension of networkboundaries beyond the branch office, to private homes, airports, and even the comercoffee shop, e.g. wireless internet access. Although technology advances contribute tosignificant increases in productivity, convenience, and competitive advantage, it alsoincreases the risk of attacks on the integrity and confidentiality of any informationinteraction. One of the key questions is how to achieve the right level of informationnetwork security and implement effective protection systems, without impactingproductivity by excessively restricting the flow of information.The issue of information security is not a localised problem, but a problem on globalscale, and South African businesses are no less at risk than any other geographicallylocated business. The risk of information security is even greater if aspects likeglobalisation are taken into account, and the growing inter-connectedness of the globalbusiness environment. The central question is: How does the South African businessenvironment view information security, their perceived success in implementinginformation security measures, and their view of future trends in information security.Ingenue- Consulting is a global business focusing on technology consulting services,across a wide range of industries and technologies. Information security has beenidentified by Ingenue Consulting to be a global problem, and primary research into thisbusiness issue have been undertaken in different locations globally, e.g. Australia and South African executive level survey of what the perception and importance are ofinformation security, of business leaders across public and private industries.Ingenue Consulting has an in-house research facility, and tasked them with conductinga survey in South Africa. The survey results can then be compared with global trends,and applied in the business environment, to highlight the impact of information securityrisks, and to help businesses to change and improve their information securityprocesses and technologies. The research department started out doing an extensiveliterature study to identify global and local trends in information security, and to assist inthe compilation of the survey questionnaire. A sample group of blue chip businessesacross all industries was targeted at executive level to conduct a research survey - fiftyinterviews were conducted. The raw data was collated and analysed to formulate anopinion of the information security practices and perceptions of the businessenvironment in South Africa.The survey confirmed that the South African market risks in terms of informationsecurity are very similar to global trends. Some of the key trends are: Informationsecurity agreements are normally signed at the onset of employment, but rarelyupdated or highlighted to ensure continued support and implementation. This is almostcontradictory to the fact that information security are taken seriously by the executivelevel, and often discussed at board level. The mobility of information with theemergence of wireless networks is a key issue for most businesses - as informationsecurity is at its most vulnerable.Most of the respondents rated themselves ahead of the curve and their competitors -overestimation of competencies, could lead to larger future risks. The sensitive natureof information security industry makes benchmarking against local or global playersdifficult due to the sensitive nature -limited willingness to participate in a consultativeforum. Companies that outsouree IT tend to wash their hands off' security issues as the responsibility of the outsourcing vendor. Most local businesses haven't got a worldlyview - they do not have an active process to find out what their peers are doing locallyor globally, they rely mostly on vendor and consulting advice, or media coverage.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University