The identification and framing of cybersecurity threats in South Africa

Abstract

This study outlines and defines relevant concepts related to cybersecurity threats. Additionally, the study proposes an amended framework that adapts and combines key concepts utilised in Hare (2010) and Dunn Cavelty’s (2015) analytical frameworks, and in turn, applies the amended framework to identify how cybersecurity threats are framed in South Africa. The study finds that cybersecurity threats in South Africa are framed as cybercrime threats to computer networks and business networks. Similarly, this study concludes that South African policymakers conceive cybersecurity threats to be “criminal activities in cyberspace” as proposed by Hare (2010:218). This study contributes to current knowledge on cybersecurity threats in the Political Sciences field and further contributes to knowledge on cybersecurity threats in South Africa and therefore, paves the way for future studies.