It is happening and it is here. The latest Industrial Revolution or Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has arrived. But the fruits it offers are not always sweet. In South Africa alone the number of e-commerce users is expected to increase to 21.52 million by the year 2029. Now we have the 4IR or Industry 4.0, the latest “evolution” in technology characterised by the integration of connected digital devices.
In South Africa, where last-mile logistics face unique challenges due to infrastructure and geographic diversity, Industry 4.0 innovations like IoT tracking and robotic sorting provide tailored solutions to ensure efficiency even in the most complex delivery environments. Companies like Fastway Couriers are leading the way with advanced robotic sorting systems. These systems are designed to streamline the sorting process, reduce human error, and boost overall operational efficiency. According to Damian Velayadum, Group Financial Director at Fastway Couriers: “The implementation of our robotic sorting systems is in the final stage, marking a significant leap in our ability to handle high volumes with precision and speed, setting a new benchmark for efficiency in the industry.”
In South Africa the road is being made for the acceleration and integration of the new technologies to compete with other major economies. The Internet of Things (IoT) which involves the connection of all your software mobile devices and social media into a single hive mind and the merger between advance robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will raise ethical questions and concerns. (It will also raise quite a few human eyebrows as well). Although there is the argument that Artificial Intelligence, the IoT and improved robotics is meant to alleviate and simplify errors in human organization methods, the question remains: is this a necessity? Are humans not capable of organizing and protecting their data from hackers on line? What happens when an AI accesses their data with out the human’s knowledge?
These are questions that are needed to be answered. For some such as the South Africa Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Department of Public Works the answers would be in favour of protecting their incomes.
Over the past ten years, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Department of Public Works lost over R400 million to cyber attacks. Further, the breach of the National Health Laboratory Services and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission this year has exposed South Africa’s weaknesses regarding cyber security and the growing global tech skills shortage when addressing these risks. “The World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report in January that provided a global outlook for cybersecurity. While cyber inequity is a major issue, the growing skills shortage is a major issue that will make addressing this risk very difficult,” says Trisha Govender Manager: MANCOSA School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT).
According to many risk analysts, cyber risk is one of the biggest growing concerns that countries need to deal with. As evidenced by the SARB and Department of Public Works losses, cyber events can be crippling for economies, with many companies not having the ability to recover from a R400 million loss.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Department of Public Works have suffered a humiliating double whammy. The loss of R400 million shows how far the government is behind in protecting its own revenue stores. It can be snatched away by the millions electronically before the state can even erect a fire wall. The extract above is indeed worrying as it exposes the state’s inadequacy in dealing with hackers. It should be hoped that SARB and the DPW’s own security and intelligence networks can trace the whereabouts of the stolen revenue. When it comes to the WEF its proposals should always be examined with weary eyes. The WEF based in Davos is led by the very rich of the elites. They are right though about skills shortage.
Better training and education are desired. But if the WEF is so concerned about it they should fund it out of their own pockets. There needs to be impartial watch dogs overseeing the resources and revenues of state institutions such as SARB and the DPW. It boggles the mind how R400 million can be gone over ten years. Hopefully the money can be recovered with the perpetrators facing severe penalties.
MANCOSA, through the SIDT, is one of the many higher education providers in South Africa taking the lead in addressing this skills shortage by offering several courses and qualifications that will produce world-class IT professionals. However, the WEF report points out that the rate at which cyber risks evolve is quicker than skills development efforts. “The risk of cybersecurity skills lagging behind evolving threats is significant. For example, the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack demonstrated this issue. Attackers used advanced techniques like double extortion, which many cybersecurity training programs did not fully address. Bridging this gap is crucial for enhancing cyber resilience and preparing professionals to tackle emerging threats effectively,” says Govender.
The Management College of South Africa (MANCOSA) possibly needs funding for its courses. This is where the WEF could come in. They should create scholarships that fund University courses in technology not just in South Africa but around the world. Afterall these elites are worth millions and if they are so concerned about cyber risk then they should put their money where their mouths are. Of course, the speed with which cyberattacks evolve in an era were the developing world like South Africa is coming into its own with free trade needs an even faster response. This is necessary to protect our assets electronically. So, it is possible multi-corporations and major companies will look to AI to find a solution to the crisis that is unfolding.
As the passage of time marches forward, the world is changing. Cyber security is a major concern while research into robotics, Internet and mobile device connectivity and AI raises new ethical questions. Should these new advancements in technology be taken with a grain salt? The Answer is yes. It is all a matter of time.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
