Intelligence Services Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has announced the establishment of an electronic communications company that will develop “cutting edge” technology to secure the country’s communication.

Sisulu made the announcement while tabling her department’s budget vote in Parliament today.

One of the first tasks of the company - Electronic Communications Security (Comsec) - would be to conduct security audits to prioritised government departments at provincial and local level.

“This is a strategic intervention which will ensure that e-commerce in South Africa can thrive without the difficulty and threats posed by intrusion, cyber crime or cyber sabotage,” she said.

The company was established following the identification of a “cyber threat”.

“When you consider that computers are less expensive than conventional weapons and their connectivity and penetration swift, then you realize the scale of the problem,” he minister said. The department has further put plans in motion for the establishment of the Office of Interception Centres to deal with criminals who ‘seek refuge through the use of sophisticated encryption devices”.

“These centres will be solely targeted at those who seek to undermine our national security, commit crimes and steal and sell strategic information belonging to the country.” –BuaNews.