Synopsis
The South African Weather Service's website is down due to a cyberattack. Despite this, weather forecasts continue uninterrupted, with information being communicated via alternative means. A dedicated team is working to restore normalcy. Cyberattacks are increasing in South Africa, impacting various sectors significantly.Key Takeaways
- SAWS website is down but forecasts are intact.
- Alternative channels are being used for critical services.
- Cybersecurity team is working diligently to restore operations.
- South Africa faces rising cyber threats.
- Cyber crimes cost the economy billions annually.
Johannesburg, Jan 30 (NationPress) The South African Weather Service (SAWS) website is currently offline due to a cyberattack; however, the agency confirmed that its weather forecasts have remained uninterrupted, as stated on Thursday.
According to the weather service, they are utilizing alternative methods to provide essential marine, aviation, and severe weather services.
SAWS Chief Executive Officer Ishaam Abader mentioned in the statement, "We have not experienced any service interruptions thus far. Weather products for marine and aviation are being shared through alternative channels."
Forecasts are being regularly sent via email to media outlets and Disaster Management Authorities, and they are also being shared on social media platforms, Abader added.
The statement noted, "A team of engineers and cybersecurity specialists is tirelessly working to restore normal operations in a timely manner." So far, the team has successfully reinstated the SAWS email functionality and telephone system.
The country has seen a rise in cyberattacks recently. Reports from Xinhua news agency indicated that the South African Bureau of Standards, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, along with the Government Pensions Administration Agency, were victims of cyberattacks in 2024.
Last year, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research estimated that cyber crimes cost the South African economy roughly 2.2 billion rand (around $120 million) each year.
A cyberattack is characterized by unauthorized actions taken against computer systems that jeopardize the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of the data.
The increasing reliance on sophisticated and interconnected computer networks across various sectors is a primary factor contributing to vulnerability to cyberattacks, as nearly all systems have flaws that attackers can exploit. While achieving a completely secure system is often impractical, numerous defense strategies can enhance system security, making information security an increasingly critical field globally.
Cyberattack perpetrators may include criminals, hacktivists, or state actors. They seek out vulnerabilities within a system, exploit them, and deploy malware to achieve their objectives, which can lead to varied effects depending on the malware's design.
