National Cyber Security awareness month to be launched on October 1 — Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako

The Ministry of Communications through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will hold its annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) from October 1 to 31, 2023.

The month-long event will be dedicated to awareness creation activities by educating organizations and the general public on all the opportunities and threats of cyberspace.

It will also encourage a more secure usage of online resources for a safer digital Ghana.

Speaking at the media launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2023 in Accra on Sunday, the Acting Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako noted that Ghana is one of 22 countries globally to celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) annually.

He pointed out that Ghana’s effort at ensuring a culture of digital safety was borne out of the country’s cyber culture and societal dimension derived from the cybersecurity Capacity Maturity Model (CMM) that was commissioned by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation in January 2018.

“This assessment was conducted by the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre (GCSCC) of the University of Oxford in collaboration with the World Bank. Key among the critical issues captured by the assessment included the lack of cybersecurity consciousness and awareness among the Ghanaian public.

“Also, captured were inadequate security measures for government e-services with knowledge gaps in fundamental cybersecurity concepts,” he stressed.

Following these shortfalls, he noted, the CSA is seeking to leverage the NCSAM 2023 to address the concerns raised in the assessment hence the theme, ‘Promoting a Culture of Digital Safety’.

“Our theme this year highlights the importance of cultivating a collective mindset and behaviour that values and promotes responsible online practices, cybersecurity awareness and the protection of personal information,” he added

He stated that the CSA, as a regulatory institution, and as part of measures to introduce sanity into the cybersecurity sector, commenced the process of licensing Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs) and accrediting Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) and Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs).

“The exercise commenced in March 2023, with a September 30, 2023, deadline. This is to ensure that only licensed and accredited entities are lawfully empowered to engage in business,” he noted.

Dr Antwi-Boasiako further disclosed that the Public Procurement Authority was collaborating with CSA to enforce the guidelines on the ongoing regulation.

“This collaboration will harmonise the processes of public procurement in the public service to secure a judicious, economic and efficient use of state resources and provide a streamlined mechanism for guaranteeing that cybersecurity service providers, establishments and professionals in the country execute their duties in accordance with approved international standards,” he emphasized.

He called on all stakeholders to use the period to educate their members on cybersecurity.

“The CSA team is available to work with all stakeholders who will need assistance and guidance with respect to creating awareness on cybersecurity this October and subsequently.”