MPs take Auditor General to task over cybersecurity weaknesses
The AG has acknowledged weaknesses in its IT system and says there’s a need to digitise the organisation.
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CAPE TOWN - Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised concerns over the Auditor General (AG)'s cybersecurity weaknesses.
They say this could open up the entity to sabotage.
The AG has acknowledged weaknesses in its IT system, saying there’s a need to digitise the organisation.
The Office of the Auditor General was briefing the standing committee on the AG on its annual report on Friday.
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The AG told the standing committee they experienced IT-related deficiencies over the years, noting an urgent need to go digital.
Committee member Shaik Subrathie questioned why this was not prioritised.
"Why has cybersecurity not been arrested as a problem? Are we going to arrest this when all our information is sabotaged? Because we live in a digital age."
The audit committee's chairperson, Grathel Motau, said as much as finances were a problem, they’ve appointed someone with the expertise.
"So, hence then the AG appointed new members who have got the expertise and hence we’re excited to have him."
The committee said it welcomed the recovery and prevention of R3.47 billion in financial losses by the AG.