Parliament has confirmed a security breach affecting one of its YouTube streaming services, which is integrated with its official social media accounts.
Image: Picture: Kacper Pempel/Reuters
PARLIAMENT says a full investigation is underway to determine the source of a security breach affecting one of its 25 YouTube streaming services, and that additional safeguards are being put in place to strengthen the integrity of its digital infrastructure.
Parliament at the weekend confirmed a security breach affecting one of its YouTube streaming services, which is integrated with its official social media accounts.
“This breach resulted in the unauthorised upload of content not aligned with the work of the institution,” Parliament said in a statement.
“Parliament’s digital team immediately intervened to terminate the compromised stream.
"While a full investigation is underway to determine the source of the breach, additional safeguards are being put in place to strengthen the integrity of our digital infrastructure.”
Parliament’s multiple YouTube streaming services provide real-time access to committee meetings and House sittings, which enables public engagement through integration with social media platforms.
“This expanded digital reach enhances public involvement and openness, as mandated by the Constitution, but also increases cybersecurity risks, which require continuous monitoring and reinforced security measures.
“We remain committed to maintaining secure and reliable use of these platforms for the benefit of the public.”
Parliament at the weekend also said a video circulating online in which an individual claims to have breached security and entered the temporary chamber of Parliament, the Dome, during the Budget Speech, was false and misleading.
An investigation was however underway to determine how the person obtained an accreditation tag.
“The video clearly shows the individual standing at the corner of Plein and Commercial Streets, outside the parliamentary precinct and nowhere inside the Dome, where the Minister of Finance delivered the Budget Speech.”
In the video, the person is also seen inside what appears to be a pub, falsely claiming it to be a VIP lounge of Parliament.
“Parliament has no such VIP lounge. This is a deliberate hoax intended to mislead the public and create unnecessary alarm.
“Parliament takes the security of its precincts seriously, and any attempt to spread false information about security breaches is irresponsible and potentially unlawful.”
Cape Times