cybercrime defined

National Cybersecurity Policy Framework for South Africa, 2012 (7 March 2012) states: "Cybercrime" means illegal acts, the commission of which involves the use of information and communication technologies

The Cybercrimes Bill, does not provide a definition for "cybercrime" but rather creates a number of offences which we can refer to collectively as "cybercrimes".

interesting facts and stats

  • In 2020, 80% of organisations saw a rise in cyberattacks
    • there is an attempted cyberattack every 28 seconds (https://www.fireeye.com/cyber-map/threat-map.html)
    • the damage related to cybercrime is projected to hit $6trillion annually by 2021
    • Phishing attempts have increased by more than 660% since March 1, 2020
    • Ransomware attacks rose 148% in March 2020 (https://www.idagent.com/10-essential-facts-about-cybercrime-in-2020)
  • South Africa has the third highest number of cyber crime victims worldwide, resulting in a loss of about 2.2 billion Rand each year to cyber attacks, according to the South African Banking Risk
  • Information Center (SABRIC). While we are rated as the 31st worst country when it comes to cybersecurity (https://www.itweb.co.za/content/5yONPvEg2YkMXWrb)
  • The rise of Crime-as-a-Service.

Download

ENSafrica Webinar Cybercrimes Bill

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.