The National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) led by their respective Directors-General, Mr. Joe Anokye and Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako respectively, have held discussions aimed at efforts of implementing the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
The Cybersecurity Act was assented into law on December 29, 2020.
They exchanged views on further strengthening the cybersecurity space in the country and also discussed effective strategies in the implementation of the Act as well as various issues of mutual concern.
The Directors recognise the importance of securing the Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) and ensuring a safe online experience for citizens as the adoption of internet technology in Ghana is increasing at a very fast pace.
The two institutions have been collaborating in several areas since 2017 towards the development of cybersecurity in Ghana, which has contributed to Ghana’s current rating of 86.69% in the latest Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); a major progress from a previous rating of 32.6% in 2017.
The Directors reaffirmed their commitment to continue collaborations and to provide each other with all the necessary assistance for the performance of their functions in order to improve upon Ghana’s ratings and ensure a safe and secure digital ecosystem in Ghana.
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2022, concluded with a joint statement that outlines areas of cooperation that include protection of CII, capacity building and stakeholder education.
The two Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to work together and agreed to:
1. Hold joint discussions with various designated (CII) owners and come up with sector-specific directives to serve as guidelines for the protection of these CIIs.
2. Collaborate in the area of capacity building of the staff of both institutions to ensure that the personnel have fundamental knowledge and appreciation of cybersecurity. These capacity-building projects may include exchange programmes, technical workshops, and consultations.
3. Work together to determine a minimum certification as baseline requirements for Computer Emergency Response Team staff in both institutions.
4. Collaborate in the area of awareness creation and public education on critical national issues, technology usage, cybersecurity, cybercrime and related matters.
5. Adopt a multi-stakeholder engagement approach through partnerships to enhance stakeholder knowledge on the law and to create a cooperative environment to support law enforcement and build capacities among various sectors.
Source: Mypublisher24.com