Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility – Director General of Cyber Security Authority

The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, has called on Ghanaians to work towards improving their own online safety and security as Ghana strives to combat cyber threats.

He mentioned that cyber security is a shared responsibility and that everyone has a role to play in developing a cybersecurity culture.

“Cybersecurity affects everyone, and personal responsibility is critical to combating the menace,” he said.

The renowned cyber security expert noted that with Ghana joining global digital leaders with over 53 percent internet penetration, what the government can do is educate the citizenry to adopt a responsible cyber lifestyle.

However, the onus is on the individuals to ensure their own safety online.

Dr. Antwi-Boasiako was speaking during an interaction with participants at the second edition of the Technology Trends and Awareness Workshop, a monthly webinar series hosted by the Department of Information Technology Studies at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

The event, which was held last Wednesday, November 23, was themed, “Demystifying Online Fraud: How to Protect Yourself.”

Dr Antwi-Boasiako lauded the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies (FITC) for facilitating the webinar series, adding that “we see it as a critical component of our capacity building process as an Authority.”

He said the government, through the CSA and Ministry of Communications, has put in place the necessary legislative, infrastructure, and policy frameworks to create an enabling environment and ensure the safety of internet users and businesses.

“The stakeholder engagement you have put together as a University is the realisation of the personal and collective responsibility of the Ghanaian ecosystem, and I think you are playing a key role in demystifying online fraud and cyber threats in general, and I will encourage you to continue,” Dr. Antwi-Boasiako said.

Other speakers on the day included Dr Mohammed Siraj, a Certified Hacker, and Mr Ransford Nana Addo Jnr, a certified Fraud Examiner and Cyber Security Consultant.

The facilitators schooled participants on cybersecurity best practices such as maintaining good and strong passwords, identifying phishing and pharming links and emails, avoiding suspicious websites, using secured Wi-Fi connections, and using two-step verification systems.

Prof. Emmanuel Selase Asamoah, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies, said the Technology Trends and Awareness webinar series is aimed at educating internet users about emerging trends in the cyber space while raising awareness about some of the risks they face.

“Our intention is very clear if you look at the sort of topics that we are putting together to educate the public,” Prof Asamoah said. “We want to bring IT to the doorsteps of everybody, and we want to make people feel comfortable, confident, and secured as they operate in the virtual space.”

The event was attended by over 160 participants, including IT students, lecturers, staff, and tech enthusiasts.