Report by Bernard K DADZIE
The National Cybersecurity Authority has started developing standards for certifying cyber specialists and practitioners in the country, as well as setting operational guidelines for them.
The move is part of the Cybersecurity Act 2020, which was passed by parliament to address issues related to cyberspace security. It is also to ensure the development of cybersecurity in Ghana. The Act was assented to by the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on December 29, 2020.
Hence, this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month, under the theme, “Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020; Its Implications and the Role of Stakeholders” is aimed not only at introducing the Cybersecurity Act to all stakeholders but to discuss the implications of the Act on our work as an industry. The Act 1038 was passed in 2020.
Speaking at a workshop on cybersecurity ACT, 2020 for cyber security service providers and professionals, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said the move is critical to ensure that the industry has no charlatans. She added that there is a lack of skilled jobs in the cybersecurity space which many can take advantage of.
The forum is to engage with cybersecurity service providers and professionals, which constitute a critical group of industry representatives on how the Act will affect their operations moving forward. It is also aimed at soliciting suggestions and inputs towards effective implementation of the Act. “There are many indications today that demand for cybersecurity workers will continue to be high.
All organisations need to understand is the threat on the environment and the risks they face, address their cybersecurity problems and hire the most appropriate people to do that work” she added.
“In view of the anticipated need for cybersecurity workforce in the country, I have tasked the Cyber Security Authority to engage with you – the private sector actors to conduct research to establish Ghana’s cybersecurity workforce needs for the next five years. Findings from such research will support government policy on cybersecurity skills development and capacity building efforts in this critical sector of our digital economy”.
To the Minister, there was an urgent need for Government to establish a robust legal framework to adequately cater for the protection of our cyberspace and to provide a clear regulatory regime for your activities. As you will recall, the 7th Parliament, on November 06, 2020, passed the landmark Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038)
In conclusion, the Lawmaker urged all industry players to work closely with the Cyber Security Authority, by making necessary input for the drafting of Legislative Instruments, necessary for the full implementation of Act 1038. “We must also work to create an atmosphere and avenue to foster and facilitate the industry players in their activities and engagements.”
For her part, the Acting Director-General of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako, said Cybersecurity regulations have the benefit of protecting our critical systems and our digital infrastructure.
To him, the provisions in the Act are to support the systematic development of the cybersecurity sub-sector of the emerging digital economy. Cybersecurity regulations which Ghana has adopted through the passage of Act 1038 is to protect us practitioners and the industry as a whole.
He continued that the country has made great strides in its cybersecurity development under the leadership of H.E the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and sector Minister, Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, for the passage of the Act.
The ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index for 2020 provides the summary and also serves as an independent judgment on the work done so far on our journey to achieve a Secure and Resilient Digital Ghana.
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