Interfront Annual Report 2022

PART B: PERFORMANCE REPORT 29 6. OPERATIONAL OUTLOOK • Planned technology upgrades for the Declaration Processing System (DPS) and the Tariff Management System (TMS). • Interfront’s scope at SARS will include customs and tax development, enhancement and support, following the successful on-boarding of the Tax team who will continue to support and maintain the SARS eFiling and MobiApp platforms with planned deliverables implemented throughout the year. • SARS looks to support its operations and use new and emerging technology, as part of its Vision 2024 to improve services and trader experience. Interfront is pursuing the opportunity to participate in and partner with SARS in this regard, through the enablement of digital platforms. • ADA confirmed that they will be replacing the Interfront modules in production. They currently anticipate having the transit section (the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS)) of Import, Export and Transit (IETA) replaced by the end of 2022. ADA further anticipates switching off that section of the IETA system six months after their go- live. • Change management for the integration of the tax team into Interfront’s delivery processes is ongoing. 7. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICTs) ICT played a key role in ensuring that disruptions were kept to a minimum, while supporting staff who predominantly worked remotely. IT Security: With the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA), access to the Interfront network was reinforced, further reducing the risk of unauthorised access to the network. An external party was appointed to perform an internal penetration test on the Interfront network. Security improvements were recommended and will be implemented accordingly. Infrastructure and Network: ICT took delivery of a storage expansion unit in December 2021. The additional capacity is now operational and replaces an older storage unit, which Interfront can repurpose at its disaster recovery site to increase capacity for business continuity. Interfront spent considerable effort designing and implementing a new remote network at its new St Andrew’s premises. When utilising hot seats, this change will allow staff to experience seamless connectivity to the new data centre and network resources at SARS in Pretoria. In addition, the network was upgraded to accommodate bandwidth requirements. ICT Governance, Risk and Compliance: The Interfront Information Systems Management Committee (ISMC) facilitates IT governance. This committee met each quarter to address security matters and ensure compliance. Data Centre Relocation: ICT successfully relocated Interfront’s Data Centre to the SARS building in Bellville since the decision by Interfront Board to vacate the Gleneagles building.