The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has unveiled its plans for the upcoming National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2023, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a culture of digital safety.
The event was attended by stakeholders in the cybersecurity sector, government officials, and members of the media.
CSA Director, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako at a media launch in Accra on Sunday 3rd September, 2023 expressed gratitude for the media’s continued support in promoting their initiatives, saying, “I express my appreciation to our stakeholders in cyberspace, some of whom are here with us, for joining forces with the CSA to promote a safer digital Ghana for all.”
NCSAM, which commences in October, serves as a dedicated period for creating awareness and educating organizations and the public about the opportunities and threats in cyberspace.
The event aims to encourage more secure online practices and responsible usage of digital resources.
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako noted the global significance of NCSAM, stating, “Ghana is one of 22 countries globally to annually celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). It is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about cybersecurity and promoting best practices for online safety.”
He highlighted Ghana’s progress in digital connectivity, ranking 4th in Africa in the GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index with a score of 51.4%. Additionally, the country boasts an impressive score of 86.69% in Online Security, reflecting its commitment to cybersecurity.
The theme for NCSAM 2023, “Promoting a Culture of Digital Safety,” aims to address key cybersecurity issues identified in a 2018 assessment, including a lack of cybersecurity consciousness among the Ghanaian public and inadequate security measures for government e-services.
“We expect the media launch to set in motion a month-long national cybersecurity awareness creation that will assemble public and private sector players, cybersecurity professionals, the academia, and representatives from civil society organizations,” stated the CSA Director “Our goal is to encourage every Ghanaian to stay digitally alert.”
He announced the CSA’s efforts to introduce licensing for Cybersecurity Service Providers (CSPs) and accreditation for Cybersecurity Establishments (CEs) and Cybersecurity Professionals (CPs).
This initiative, which commenced in March 2023, seeks to ensure that only licensed and accredited entities engage in cybersecurity services.
He stated that the Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) launched in 2019 have played a crucial role in addressing cyber-related incidents.
Since its launch, over 41,000 contacts have been made with the CSA, with 9% categorized as incidents and 91% as direct advisories to citizens.
The top reported incidents include online fraud (45%), online blackmail (13%), unauthorized access (10%), cyberbullying (9%), and online impersonation/identity theft (8%).
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako urged all stakeholders, including the private sector, churches, schools, civil society organizations, and the general public, to participate actively in NCSAM 2023.
He charged the media to play a pivotal role in educating the public about the need to be cybersecurity-conscious.
He assured that 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.