Global cyber trends a South African reality

Abstract

Cyber trends are a reality across the globe. Not only are technology and electronic devices and media used more regularly in easing everyday activities, but these technological advances are also used in sophisticated criminal activities. Regardless of the global innovation and development ranking of a country, all countries tend to show the same global trends, either on a more or lesser scale. Some of the more prominent global trends are identified and discussed. This paper aims to show that these global cyber trends are also a reality in South Africa, by addressing some of the most prominent global trends. Based on the statistics available to support the presence of high cyber trends, as present in high ranked countries across the globe, this article shows that technology within South Africa has advanced to such an extent that the country is not unduly hurdled by large scale lack of connectivity and bandwidth, computer illiteracy, low Internet penetration and inadequate cyber crime related legislation. The discussion within this paper places South Africa on par with first world countries in terms of cyber trends.