Cyber hygiene crucial to public safety- Dr Antwi-Boasiako

By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, July 25, GNA- Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Director-General of Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has stressed the need for users of digital systems to acquire basic cyber hygiene skills to ensure safety in view of increasing cyber attacks.
Dr Antwi-Boasiako said it was important for digital citizens, especially mobile money users, to appreciate cyber hygiene best practices given the fact that “digital platforms have become common places for all businesses”.
He said this when Madam Fatimatu Abubarkar, Deputy Minister of Information, paid a courtesy call on the management of CSA in Accra, a statement by the Authority, has said.
The statement said the Deputy Minister was accompanied by her aide, Mr Jamal Mohammed Abdul Rahman and Miss Aisha Jibril, an Administrative Officer.
It said the visit was to afford the Deputy Minister the opportunity to acquaint herself with the operations of the CSA and its trajectory of growth since its establishment in the year 2021.
Briefing Madam Fatimatu Abubakar about the activities of the CSA, Dr Antwi-Boasiako highlighted the significance of the Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), which comes off in October this year.
He said the event was one of the biggest and most impactful annual events on the CSA calendar.
The Director-General of CSA informed the Deputy Minister about the upcoming Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B), a first of its kind event in Ghana in November this year.
He appealed to the Deputy Minister to use the Ministry’s platform to promote the conference.
According to the Director-General of CSA, Ghana was selected after a highly competitive process based on its cybersecurity strides and engagements in international cooperation activities.
He said countries such as France, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria among others had submitted bids to host the conference, but Ghana was the preferred choice for the organisers.
Dr Antwi-Boasiako said the CSA was committed to drive Ghana’s goal of becoming the number one in Africa and among first 25 countries globally in the next Global Cybersecurity Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Regarding the CSA’s visibility and accessibility to stakeholders, the Director- General said it was crucial for the Authority to maintain a neutral stance as the security sector institution in the execution of its mandate and to leverage channels available to broadcast its achievements.
The Director-General of CSA appealed to the Deputy Minister to assist the Authority to publish its monthly advisories and alerts on the Ministry’s platforms for a wider reach.
Madam Fatimatu Abubakar commended the CSA for its achievements.
She said the Ministry’s campaign against misinformation and disinformation was to ensure that State agencies provided mechanisms for the public to verify information before dissemination.