The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a web-based tool that enables financial and electronic communications service providers to report cybercrimes directly to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

In line with the Cybercrimes Act, 2020 (Act 19 of 2020), a Cybercrimes Designated Point of Contact has been established through a collaboration between the CSIR and SAPS. The facility is located at the CSIR in Pretoria. The Act requires all financial and electronic communications service providers to report cybercrimes directly to this designated point of contact, the CSIR said in its 2024/25 annual report.

“As the use of digital systems for communication and online transactions becomes increasingly widespread, so do the risks to the safety and security of user’s personal information. Previously, there was no dedicated mechanism or platform to report cybercrimes. In response, the CSIR developed a secure, web-based reporting platform that allows service providers to report cybercrimes directly to the SAPS Designated Point of Contact, hereby supporting cybercrime investigation and response efforts.”

The tool has been fully developed over the past two years and is ready for deployment in a live environment. It will undergo final testing, security assessments and penetration testing before being rolled out nationally for use by all financial and electronic communications service providers in South Africa, the CSIR said.