Today (17 May) is the 141st celebration of World Telecommunications Day (WTD), a day which highlights the important contribution of telecommunication to social and economic development globally.
This is also the day which commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunications Union, the oldest inter-governmental organisation in the world and a specialised agency of the United Nations.
The theme for this year`s World Telecommunications day is Promoting Global Cyber Security, something that is not always noted, but something that is crucial. The world of telecommunication enables people to communicate through the use of advanced technology services. Through information technology, people are able to easily perform electronic transactions; banks and big corporates rely completely on new technology to make their businesses work. It makes business practice easier, but it also opens possibilities for criminal activities. This is why there is a need for cyber security.
Cyber security threats are growing and criminals who tap into secure information are becoming more organised. As an ICT service provider, Telkom understands that there is a growing need for measures to protect personal and corporate information. Telkom offers a variety of services, which supply the following:
* Security consulting
* Security auditing
* Risk assessment
* Vulnerability scanning
* Policy development
* Firewall management
* Surveillance and identity management
* Intrusion detection
* Desktop encryption
* Anti-virus and e-mail content screening
* Web content filtering
In addition, Telkom provides IT infrastructure that secures the customer`s business. As a customer-centric organisation, Telkom values the role that these security services play in ensuring that customers are protected from hackers.
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Telkom SA Limited is one of the largest companies registered in the Republic of South Africa and is the largest telecommunications service provider on the African continent based on operating revenue and assets. Telkom offers fixed-line voice and data services, branded as Telkom, and mobile communications services through a 50% shareholding in the joint venture, Vodacom, a company incorporated in the republic of South Africa, Tanzania, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
Telkom has approximately 4.8 million telephone access lines in service as of March 2005. Telkom is South Africa`s incumbent operator. Telkom had consolidated operating revenue of R43.1 billion ($6.9 billion) for 2005. Telkom`s subsidiaries include TDS (Directory Services), which was formed as a result of a joint venture between Telkom and Maister Directories as well as Swiftnet, which was formed in 1994.
Telkom strongly believes in corporate social investment and has a dedicated wing, The Telkom Foundation, which focuses in investing and developing previously disadvantaged South Africans. The Telkom Foundation spent R45.4 million (2004: R40.5 million) in the year ended 31 March 2005.
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