Operating as a commercial company since October 1991, Telkom has grown into the largest telecommunications services provider in Africa based on operating revenue and assets. The group, consisting of the fixed-line company Telkom and a 50% shareholding in mobile operator Vodacom, was listed on the JSE Limited (JSE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in March 2003.
Hi-Tech Security Solutions posed some security-related questions to Wayne Louis from the Telkom Asset and Revenue Protection Services. A core part of Louis's responsibility entails managing staff and processes responsible for the physical (guarding) and technical (technology) security for Telkom. He is also pivotally involved in all aspects of security projects, pilots, VIP protection and TSCM (technical security counter measures) functions. Budgetary considerations, strategies, policy and procedural matters and security-related operational functions fall under his ambit too. Also under his control is the National Security Control Centre, which remotely monitors company security.
Q What are the main security issues/threats faced by Telkom and why?
A One of the main security challenges at present is the issue of cable theft. We have deployed extensive security measures in order to combat cable theft but this remains a national problem, largely because copper fetches a high price. In order to minimise interruptions to our customers' services as well as contain the negative impact on the company, apart from Telkom's own proactive security measures, there is also close liaison with the Non-Ferrous Crime Combating Committee, Business Against Crime and the South African Police Services.
In addition, security considerations are also factored into the need to protect Telkom technical staff whose safety is sometimes at risk while performing maintenance work, especially emergency maintenance at night and in remote areas.
Q Have these threats always been the same, or have the security issues changed in any way over time?
A As is the case with general crime trends in the country, the incidence and patterns of crime - and consequently, the security challenges - are constantly changing. Criminals who steal Telkom property such as cables and solar panels (used as a power source), always seek to beat the security measures the company implements or change the areas in which they operate. As a result, one of my primary responsibilities is to proactively formulate and assess strategies that identify and, where possible, eliminate new forms of security risks before they actually manifest themselves.
Q What solutions are in place to prevent and/or control these situations?
A I obviously cannot compromise our own security measures and mechanisms by going into too much detail but the following are some of the solutions:
* Physical guarding security contracts.
* Armed response to cable systems.
* Armed response to buildings.
* Integrated remote access control systems, intruder detection systems and CCTV systems on a security platform are remotely monitored and actioned within our National Security Control Centre. We have had many other corporate companies visit our Control Centre in order to develop or upgrade their own operations.
Q How much of the security is handled in-house and how much is outsourced?
A We have permanent staff that manage the security functions nationally as well as security consultants in each region. The physical guarding and armed reaction services are outsourced to external suppliers.
Q What difference have these solutions made to the overall security issues at Telkom?
A I think the security solutions deployed have been effective and beneficially to Telkom and its customers. The main objective is to deploy effective security systems as well as to manage and sustain these. An awareness of security issues has become a way of life and this is no difference in the workplace. In essence, our security interventions and solutions enable Telkom's staff to operate and function in a safe environment. Our technology also enables us to detect when certain crimes are in progress and to respond expeditiously to these. Finally, our customers also benefit because our initiates help to contain the incidence of service interruptions.
While certain challenges remain, our security measures have helped to provide adequate protection for Telkom's technology, property and personnel. As previously stated, this benefits the company and our customers.
Q Does Telkom follow any specific international trends or is the South African market actually the leader?
A As a leading national and global telecommunications player, Telkom is at the cutting edge of security trends locally and internationally. Many of the country's leading corporate companies seek to implement the security strategies formulated by Telkom. Some of the international telcos also benchmark themselves against Telkom's security measures, technologies and strategies.
Q What are Telkom's short-term plans, specifically with 2010 on the horizon?
A As a company, we are constantly looking at ways to improve and upgrade the efficiency of our security measures and technologies. From a security perspective, we are firmly on track and closely aligned with the broader telecommunications provisioning around the requirements for 2010.
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