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Information Systems and Technology

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Browsing Information Systems and Technology by SDG "SDG9"

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    Cybersecurity for industrial Internet of Things: a case study of the South African transport sector.
    (2024) Pretorius, Barend Hendrik.; Van Niekerk, Brett.; Naidoo, Karunagaran.
    There is an increasing drive for the fourth industrial revolution, which has resulted in increasing deployments of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT deployments have led to multiple security incidents. This study focuses on determining the factors influencing cybersecurity for IIoT and the pressing need to secure IIoT devices and networks in South Africa’s transportation sector, which is crucial to the nation’s economy. Examples include maritime, ports, railways, airports, trains, and road transportation. A mixed-method approach is used. Quantitative methods include questionnaires, and qualitative methods include the analysis of documents (industry best practices, standards, and frameworks) used to identify and assess the technological, organisational, procedural and people factors influencing cybersecurity for IIoT in the transport sector of South Africa (SA). The population for this study consisted of 58 participants with knowledge of IIoT security in the transport sector of SA. Questionnaires are analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and inferential statistics. Data collected from documents are analysed using thematic analysis. The conceptual research framework underpinning this study is the Design Science Research combined with Business Model for Information Security (BMIS) framework. The areas of BMIS that guided the study are technology, organisation, procedure, and people. The findings of this study bring to light significant organisational and procedural challenges, including the crucial role of cybersecurity staff for IIoT, the necessity for robust incident response plans, and the looming technological threats such as ransomware and cyber espionage. From a people factor, the lack of training, communication, and employee satisfaction emerges as a significant concern, underscoring the need for immediate attention and action. Through the data triangulation from the qualitative and quantitative methods, the relationship between the four BMIS factors is determined, and a framework for IIoT cybersecurity in the SA transport sector is developed. The cybersecurity framework is evaluated against the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Future research includes exploring control breakdowns, implementation feasibility, use of a honeypot to simulate IIoT device vulnerabilities, and alignment with legal requirements, thereby offering the potential for enhanced security measures for organisations in the South African transport sector.
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    Exploring the efficiency of the Navis Terminal operating system at Transnet Durban Port, South Africa.
    (2024) Ngubane, Msawenkosi Eric.; Subramaniam, Prabhakar Rontala.
    Competition in harbours has meant that container terminal operators must constantly improve their efficiency to survive in this business. The rapid growth in cargo volumes and shipments from around the globe resulted in significant productivity and operational inefficiencies at terminals as harbours faced the challenge of meeting ever-growing demand. The main causes were increased competition, incompleteness of data, freight damage, rail or road bottlenecks, inadequate operational planning, and management. Therefore, seaport terminals needed to adopt TOS solutions such as Navis that would improve operational efficiency, throughput, and economic growth. However, a gap was identified in ensuring seamless and efficient terminal operations despite the introduction of these technological solutions. To find a solution to these inefficiencies that leave traces of economic, organizational, and reputational damage. A research model was developed through an integration of the AST, TTF and TOE model to explore the efficiency of the Navis TOS at Transnet Port of Durban, the largest port in South Africa. To capture a deep understanding for the efficiency of the terminal operations system in cargo handling at the Transnet Port of Durban and to draw appropriate conclusions for the study, a qualitative design approach is fitting. A population of 10 participants from Transnet Port of Durban employees was selected using a non-probability sampling. The selected cohort consist of one executive manager, two general managers, two terminal managers, two system engineers, two business analysts and one consultant from various department who are experts on the topics covered in this study. Interviews were used as a data collection tool. Data analysis was performed using NVivo computer software for data capturing and transforming data. Thematic analysis was utilized for primary data, while content analysis was utilized for the secondary data. The Transnet Port of Durban should consider purchasing straddle equipment as a matter of urgency to increase the capacity for the current fleet and for the replacement of old fleet which is almost at the end of its useful life. It is imperative that an adequately resourced 24/7 workshop for servicing and repair be set up. The workshop must be resourced by employees with the required skills and have enough inventory to ensure that it runs efficiently. This will resolve the challenge of queues at the Transnet Port of Durban.