DST-funded information security centre of competence

Abstract

In his keynote address on the DST-funded Information Security Centre of Competence, the speaker concentrates on four important issues. These refer to threats and vulnerabilities in Cyberspace (that encompasses all forms of networked, digital activities), the Information Security Centre of Competence Concept, the identification of three broad market opportunities, and outcomes and governance of the concepts. The worldwide information infrastructure is increasingly under attack by cyber criminals and terrorists, and these attacks threaten the substantial and ever-growing reliance of commerce, governments and the public upon the new technology to conduct business, carry messages and process information. The risks to ICT and Information Security in terms of privacy, trust and interdependence are increasing at an alarming rate. The motivation for an Information Security Centre of Competence (CoC) lies in an increased need for Information Security, the lack of coordinated capacity to respond effectively to national –scale attacks, and the fact that innovation rates and knowledge flows from research to industrial and economic activities have slowed down. The Department of Science and Technology approved the establishment of an Information Security Centre of Competence with the Meraka Institute at the CSIR under the supervision and management of the soon to be established Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The main purpose of ISCOC will be the collaborative development of technological competencies and R&D that will lead to commercialisation and transfer of R&D outputs in Information Security. Three Market opportunities exist following this initiative. It relates to innovative products and services that contribute to enhanced National Cyber Security, innovative solutions that will enable government to provide secure eGovernment products and services, and innovation for niche, high-value, globally competitive and commercial Infosec products and services. Lastly, the speaker focuses on outcomes and governance of these concepts, and highlights the need for a national information security research agenda, includes a SWOT analysis for South Africa with regard to Information Security, and mentions the challenges and hard problems faced by international information security.