‘Starting from 2023, all firms or individuals will not be able to offer cyber-security services unless they are licensed or accredited by the Cyber Security Authority,” Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Ag. Director-General, Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has indicated.
According to Dr Antwi-Boasiako, the firms or individuals who fall under this category are those whose activities include accessing, testing and evaluating the cyber security of a computer, as well as those who conduct forensic examinations on computer systems.
The Director-General said the action is a demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to promote cyber-security development in the country.
Mr Antwi-Boasiako was speaking at the media launch of The National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) at the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday.
The NCSAM, which kick-starts on October 1 and ends on October 31 is intended to raise awareness on cyber-crime trends, cyber-security issues and cyber hygiene practices.
Aside the actions which will be taken against cyber-security firms for non-compliance, the Director-General also said that designated critical information infrastructure owners shall be subjected to mandatory audit and compliance checks.
Mr Antwi-Boasiako said all these measures are part of the new regulations and measures being implemented pursuant to the Cybersecurity Act, 2020.
He explained that the internet offers several opportunities for improving the lives of people through access to information, which is beneficial to their education, health and social wellbeing.
However, many people are becoming prone to criminal online practices which are detrimental to their development hence the implementation of the directives.
Mr Antwi-Boasiako said the Authority, as a regulator, is committed to ensuring the protection of people online and “we believe the collaborative regulations hold the key to bring both the public and private sector stakeholders together, towards achieving a secure and resilient digital Ghana.”
The Deputy Minister of Communication & Digitalization, Ama Pomaa Boateng, who stood in for the substantive Minister, Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said that cyber-security is key to sustaining Ghana’s digitalization agenda and so it is crucial to have effective measures to protect critical information infrastructure, coordinate and respond to cyber-security incidents and to develop a cyber-security culture in the interest of the country’s socio-economic development.
She indicated that the government’s commitment to attaining a reliable and robust digital economy is what has led it to initiate projects such as Mobile Money Interoperability, Universal QR Code Payment System, National Identification System, the e-Passport System, Ghana.gov infrastructure as well as the Paperless Port System.
She, however, said that the growth expected from digitalization cannot be achieved when the digital space is prone to varying cyber-attacks.
She touched on a report by INTERPOL in October 2021, which stated that cyber-crime reduced the GDP of African countries by more than 10%, which was an equivalent of $4.12 billion.
But the Minister said the initiation of the NCSAM, the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and the establishment of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) are some of the measures to curb cybersecurity.
She charged stakeholders to also do their bit in ensuring a secured cyber space.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication, Mr Ken Ashigbey, on his part said that the chamber is also doing a lot to ensure security online.
According to Mr Ashigbey, the Chamber has an upper hand when it comes to regulating the technical part of cybersecurity. He said the challenge now lies with regulating people.
Mr Antwi-Boasiako explained that it is good to be hospitable but that should not be extended to the cybersecurity space. He pointed out that a lot of Ghanaians have taken their friendliness online and have falling prey to scams and frauds.
He, therefore, charged people to beware whenever they go online by ensuring that they listen and read instructions before taking any action.
