Guest columnist Brynn Gerson, head of Dube iConnect, writes:

South Africa’s public sector is embracing digital transformation at an increasing pace.

Over the past two decades, government has sought to use technology to make services more efficient and accessible, from digitised health and identity records to online vehicle registration and social grant systems.

But as these critical services move online, they become prime targets for cybercriminals. According to ESET’s bi-annual Threat Report, South Africa ranked number one in Africa for ransomware and infostealer attacks in the second half of 2024. Globally, we are among the most frequently targeted nations.

These threats extend far beyond technical disruption, often crippling local government departments that lack the resources to respond effectively. Cyberattacks can halt the delivery of essential services, from hospital records and social grant payments to other vital information. This is not theoretical: South Africans have already experienced the frustration and harm caused by attacks on public institutions in recent years.

The reality is stark. Ransomware, phishing and infostealer attacks are growing in sophistication every day. Defences must therefore evolve beyond firewalls and anti-virus software. A multi-layered cybersecurity approach is essential and migrating government systems into secure cloud environments could be a critical part of the solution.

Cloud platforms are not a silver bullet, but they offer key advantages. They integrate advanced security tools that are constantly monitored, ensuring long-term system stability. They enable faster recovery after incidents, with quick restoration of services reducing downtime. And they offer scalability, allowing new protections to be added without the costly delays of upgrading physical infrastructure.

Critics rightly raise concerns about entrusting sensitive government data to foreign-based providers. This makes local data centre capacity, stringent procurement protocols and alignment with national security priorities all the more important. A hybrid approach – combining local resilience with the technical sophistication of cloud systems – could strike the right balance.

What is clear is that cyberattacks on government services are not a question of if, but when. As South Africa accelerates its digital transformation, citizens deserve the assurance that the services they depend on will remain secure and available. Moving strategically into secure cloud environments can help provide that stability, ensuring technology continues to serve people, even in the face of growing digital threats.

Dube iConnect is a government-owned telecommunications and local cloud computing service provider, within the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone.

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