SAWS website restored after cyberattack
The South African Weather Service website is
back online after a cyberattack paralysed its Information and Communication
Technology infrastructure a month ago.
ICT experts worked around the clock to restore the compromised system on Friday.
The aviation industry will now also access the services such as international significant weather charts.
"The rest of the products such as domestic significant weather charts, atmospheric pressure charts, and airman’s reports are undergoing functionality tests and will be available within the shortest possible time," says SAWS spokesperson Oupa Segalwe.
"In the meantime, the SAWS’ Aviation Weather Centre at OR Tambo International Airport continues to rely on alternative means to disseminate regular aeronautical weather information and updates to the aviation community."
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Segalwe says while the main website on weather and climate data is back one online, weather forecast is not yet accessible on the site.
"Users will only be able to access severe weather warnings on the platform.
The warnings expire when their validity periods ends and will disappear from the site," he said.
"The SAWS’ Marine Portal and WeatherSMART app also remain offline.
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However, the public can still access daily rainfall and temperatures as well as severe weather information, via social media platforms and email, respectively."
The SAWS’ email system and Internet service, both of which were cut off in the wake of the attack in a bid to contain the spread of the malicious software that the cyber criminals used during the attack are also back online.
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