5.1 Foster cooperation and coordination between government, private sector and citizens 5.1.1 The preparedness and robustness of our Cybersecurity defences continually evolves as the technology develops, and due to the borderless nature of the cyber world, governments are increasingly finding that cyber connectivity provides a common point of cooperation which can also be a common point of disaster. Therefore, there is a greater need for strategic partnership between the private sector, civil society and government in build confidence and security in the use of ICT’s. Deliberate measures to foster such a partnership will ensure a coordinated approach in developing policies, legislation and other strategies that will ensure the protection of South African cyberspace. 5.1.2 In addition to its own critical information infrastructure, government depends significantly on critical information infrastructure provided by the private sector. The unavailability of such infrastructure due to cyber security incidents would have severe implications to both government and the private sector. It is therefore in the interest of both government and the private sector to ensure that such critical information infrastructure is well protected against cyber incidents and that risk mitigation capacity exists. It is imperative that collaboration between government and the private sector is institutionalized and ensure an environment of trust is created. Such a mechanism will present a platform for sharing information critical to combating cyber crime. 5.1.3 The advances in internet usage has brought with it challenges. These challenges are cyber crimes activities such as child pornography, fraud, identity theft etc. These crimes threaten National Security, the economic and the general well being of the citizens of the Republic. This is a world wide phenomenon and is not unique to South Africa. These challenges are not limited to the Internet but can be found in the mobile usage. The role of ICT in the social economic development of any country is widely acknowledged. 5.1.4 This Policy provides for the establishment of mechanisms to facilitate for cooperation and coordination between government and private sector. The objective of these platforms is to ensure that information sharing takes place in the interest of securing South Africa’s cyberspace. 12